“Xmas”: A Word with a History

“What’s in a word? That which we call a rose,
By any other word would smell as sweet.”

These famous lines from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet suggest that the meaning of a word is arbitrary and that it is the concept or idea that it represents that truly matters. However, in the case of the word “Xmas,” its meaning has been the subject of much debate and controversy.

Some people believe that the “X” in “Xmas” stands for the Greek letter λ (chi), which is the first letter of the Greek word μροτι (Christos), meaning “Christ.” According to this view, “Xmas” is simply an abbreviation of “Christmas.”

Others, however, argue that the “X” in “Xmas” does not stand for λ at all, but rather for the Roman numeral ͒. According to this view, “Xmas” is a shortened form of “10th mass,” which refers to the tenth mass that was celebrated on Christmas Day in the early Church.

Still others believe that the “X” in “Xmas” has no religious significance at all. According to this view, “Xmas” is simply a phonetic spelling of the word “Christmas.”

Regardless of its origin, the word “Xmas” is a widely accepted abbreviation of “Christmas.” It is used in a variety of contexts, both religious and secular. However, some people object to the use of the word “Xmas” on the grounds that it is a disrespectful way to refer to the birth of Jesus Christ.

Those who object to the use of the word “Xmas” argue that it is a secularization of a religious holiday. They believe that using “Xmas” instead of “Christmas” downplays the religious significance of the holiday and makes it seem more like a commercial event.

Others argue that the use of the word “Xmas” is not disrespectful at all. They believe that it is simply a convenient way to refer to the holiday and that it does not diminish its religious significance in any way.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to use the word “Xmas” is a personal one. There is no right or wrong answer. However, it is important to be aware of the different opinions that exist about the word and to respect the beliefs of others.