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How
did Xmas Get to Stand for Christmas?
As a
Christian, I was told by one minister that it was not respectful to
write "Xmas" because the "X" stood as a way to
eliminate (Christ) Jesus out of the word Christmas. This was years
ago, when all this political correctness was running rapid and they took
prayer out of schools etc. Others claim that the "X" is a way
to express a disgust for the commercialization of Christmas, and as I
said above, how the real meaning of celebrating Christ's birth has been
either totally removed or overshadowed today.
However,
the "X" actually is the descendant of the Greek equivalent of Ch,
as in "Christos" which means "Christ." But
today's society has implied that "X" means to x-out or remove.
And so Christ is removed by using the X? The X has also symbolized
an illiterate person's signature. So to use the X with some people
implies you do not know how to spell Christ or are an
imbicile?
The truth is, letter "X" has stood for Christ since
at least 1100 A.D.
Look it up in any dictionary!
The "Xmas" was first cited in 1551. Eric Partridge, word
scholar, says that the scholarly abbreviation for "Christianity"
is "Xianity."
Because
so many people dislike Xmas and consider it crass, the use is more often
limited to to commercial literature (cards, gift wrap, etc.) and
banners.
The
New York Times Manual of Style and Usage states, "never
use" as a recommendation for when it's acceptable.
Source:
"Why Do Clocks Run Clockwise? and Other Imponderables"
Mysteries of Everyday Life explained by David Feldman
Harper & Row Publishers © 1987 |
