(Ok, I lied, one more holiday themed post before I take a break :))
Why do we use the abbreviation Xmas for Christmas?
It originates from the Greek letter chi, which looks similar to an X. Since this letter (X) represented a "k" or "ks" sound in ancient Greek, it was used as an abbreviation for Christ. Though there may be some controversy over the usage of Xmas, it is not meant to be looked at as a way to "remove" Christ from Christmas.
The letter X can also represent "cross" or "trans" as in:
xfer, xlate = transfer, translate
X-out, X-over = cross out, crossover
How do you pronounce Xmas?
Should you try to pronounce the shortened form like "eks-mas" or just say "Christmas"?
Going slightly off topic:
Words that start with vowels usually take "an" as their indefinite article. Of course there are exceptions, like the word university. While it is spelled with a "u", it is actually a "y" sound. Thus, "a" is used and not "an".
We can use this information to find out more about the Xmas pronunciation:
What was mentioned above is a method in determining one's pronunciation of a word based on writing (barring typos). If one writes "an Xmas", they are pronouncing it "eks-mas", even though the written form starts with X, there's a vowel sound initially. Otherwise, for "a Xmas", we can assume "Christmas" is pronounced.
A quick google search reveals the following:
"a xmas" : 455,000 results
"an xmas" : 181,000 results
It seems that the traditional pronunciation for Xmas ("Christmas") is more common.
It would be interesting to know how you pronounce Xmas. Would you say "eks-mas" only in informal settings, or would you not bother with that pronunciation at all?
I'll get back to more topics on phonetics after the holidays :)
In the meantime, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Friday, December 21, 2007
Xmas
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512 comments:
Fantastic. that is great. From where you collected these?
thanks for sharing.
I didn't know this. Wonderful. keep posting.
Very interesting! I always thought that it was a way to remove Christ's name - I'm glad that it isn't!
Thanks for your opinions, I am an English coach and come across these issues daily.
Cheers,
Tristan
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hello! thats very interesting to know. thanks for sharing. keep up the good work:)
Nice post. Thats a new thing for me. thanks for sharing this.
Wonderful. thats awesome .
I never thought like this. thanks for the post.
Thank you for letting me know about this! thats interesting. keep posting. have a nice day:)
I didn't know this. From where you collect this? Very interesting. Keep posting.
this issue is very sensitive and interesting. but i didnt know about this in that way! i am amazed to know about the "a Xmas" and "an Xmas" thing.
I thought the Xmas thing came from people who didn't believe in Christ and got rid of the Christ out of Christmas !
I did not knoe the origin of Xmas before freading this article. Thanks for sharing.
I hadn't given the abbreviation Xmas much thought. But this year my children asked me why Christmas is Xmas. Now I can answer their question. The world really does look different through the eyes of a child.
Lovely.. really lovely one. Nice post.
Very interesting about the "x". I sure thought it was to take Christ out of christmas.
Now that answers my question about xmas...Really great. Thank you for sharing.
xmas is always my fav time of the year - but i wish they could extend it to a couple of weeks say maybe 2 weeks?
? anyway i just wanna wish you a merry xmas!!
The only context or situation that I see Xmas ever being used is in short written mesages or advertising.
Look forward to more info on photetics.
Thanks Bruce - Englisch Lernen
Yeah, I thought the x was to take christ out 2. Very interesting.
I was always wondering where the saying came from.
I am glad to know about this. I also thought that it was a way to remove Christ's name, but its not like that! Thankful to you for sharing it.
Thats very much interesting.Keep posting.
I think many people dosent know about this.Thanks for posting.
Oooooo the things comes from here!!! Nice post buddy.
Thank you very much for sharing this.What an article.
Good one am a christian still i dunno these things gr8 job keep going
I didn't hear this before. Thanks for letting me to know this.
Fantastic. that is great.
An addition for stored knowledge. I know one day someone is going to ask me about xmas. Great share. Keep posting.
The Xmas is over and 2008 is here.. I wanna see some new posts on this year.
Very nice and useful post :smile: . Thank you I wasn’t aware of much of these articles and blogs.
news to me
great article, i wonder when did your fascination for this started?
Awesome, I've been looking for good information about this and have found nothing. thank you.
I never thought that this X in Xmas was introduced like this. I don’t know from where you got this information but this is awesome.
Good post. Most people don't know that Xmas is a real abbreviation. I often hear them complaining that those people who use the phrase "xmas" are anti-religion. I'm glad your helping clear up the subject.
Great post but i didn't know this. Thanks for shearing this.
Hmm.... I didn't know and even thought about it. I thought it is very normal to use it and ppl just choose it for easy use.
Xmas is the best time for me to buy, to travel, to enjoy and lot of things. I just wait the whole year and take preparation for that time.
Do you know,that more than half of the English words are originated from Greek and Latin words.
I hadn't given the abbreviation Xmas much thought. But this year my children asked me why Christmas is Xmas. Now I can answer their question.
That is a great factoid. I always wondered where the X came from, although I'll still say and spell Christmas in ful
I've certainly learned something today, fascinating. Thanks for the post.
I have to admit I never questioned until now why Christmas got shortened to Xmas. Informative post.
never knew this before...thanks for sharing...
I didn't know and even thought about it.
wow I dont know that before, it nice explaining. interesting one.
wow man its really a very interesting one and the explanation that you gave of xmas is funny. thanks for the post.
hhahahaha really funny one great man its really great.
happy xmas to all its to belated.
I am glad to be here to read all that. Thanks
An interesting article, especially for a copywriter such as myself. Also, why does X mean kiss?!
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Chi doesn't make a ks sound in Greek, that's xi. Chi is the first letter of the Greek word for Christ, hence the Ch transliteration in Latin and English.
intresting, would not have thought about it that way myself.
Hey this is great, what a coincidence someone today asked me why chrismas is abbreviated to Xmas and I didn't know the answer. I felt like a bad catholic, but now I can reply to them thanks for the post bud!
Very interesting! I always thought that it was a way to remove Christ's name - I am glad that it isn't!
I am an English coach and come across these issues daily.
Thanks for your opinions, I am an English coach and come across these issues daily
It's just an abbreviation and nothing more.
I never thought like this. thanks for the post.
When I read "xmas" I subvocalize ex-mas. I wonder if the missin "an" in the Google searches is more related to people not using proper grammer. Now you have me wondering. I think I'll poll people at our Christmas gatherings this year. Or maybe just hand them a piece of paper that says something about Xmas and ask them to read it out loud.
Very interesting post about holidays. People is very receptive and likes to share anything that has to do with holidays. Thanks a again.
I always thought that it was a way to remove Christ's name - I'm glad that it isn't!
Thank you for clearing this up...I'm a Christian but I get tired of hearing people freak out about X-mas as if it's a sign of the apocalypse or something. If they would just do a little studying (this blog would be a good start) then they would realize that it's not a threatening or insulting term.
What are you gonna do in this X-mas? I guess this year everything will be more colorful.
I never realized that the "x" in xmas stood for the Greek letter chi. I never really like the term "xmas" before, but now I do! I am enjoying learning Greek and find it is easier than I thought, as long as I just learn to read and pronounce, and skip all the grammar.
The Xmas time of 2008 is here. Don't you wanna write some post about that?
very good post...i like it
Xmas is here buddy... knocking at the door of you. Where is the post about Xmas of 2008?
Really an amazing post. Its nice piece of informative material you have shared. Look forward for more of such rare articles. Thanks
Is that a full grown Xmas tree in the picture? I don't think so. I am growing a Tree for the next Christmas.
Great article for those who want perfect english. Great work mate. Keep it up. I was looking for this type of article.
I knew a lot of this kind of thing. But i had no idea it was because the different positions of the tounge in the mouth. Really suprised me. Good read.
Wonderful. thats awesome .
I never thought like this. thanks for the post.
It is so common that no one ask the why of X in the word. Everybody know the meaning of the word anyways.
Never knew about the provenience of the Xmas. Thanks for the info. I'm a little bit shy but I'll have to tell my kids about this too. I'll tell them that I found that one your blog :)
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Great article for those who want perfect english. Great work mate. Keep it up. I was looking for this type of article.
I looking forward to next Xmas. Cheers!
Keep up the post. 2009 will not be a nice one
Great Post. I really did not know this.
i had no idea that the "X" in X-mas had anything to do with christ. really, fascinating stuff. too bad everyone is just spamming your blog now...(see comment above...)
Well you learn something new every day on here. I never gave it a second thought what the x in xmas stood for. One for the next pub quiz.
Thanks for sharing and keep posting more new information.
Regards,
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Great way to describe it. I speak french and english and I find that sometimes a confusing thing about french for people is how all the words run together, good for music not necessarily good for beginners.
I didn't hear Hebrew. but i am surprised by reading this post that you know all this five language!
Interesting! Thought I was slow. Good to know others didn't get immediately!
Thats really good idea
So that's where they get the x in xmas. I always wondered about that. Thanks.
I never give ot a thought like you did here. I just took it for granted that Xmas is Christmas like Xtra - extra and my friend Christine wrote down her name as Xtine ;)
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X-timas, sounds a little bit dirty, like xxx-rated movies or things like that...
Really wonderful piece of information and I appreciate it that you share something so useful with the readers of this blog.thanks:razz:
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Now that's a good analysis...the one that always used to confuse me is how they would put "an" in front of "historic"; they would say "This is an historic occasion"...I believe I understand it a little better now.
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I knew a lot of this kind of thing. But i had no idea it was because the different positions of the tongue in the mouth. Really surprised me. Good read.
excellent information! I really wondered why "Christmas" has been abbreviated into "xmas". well, now I know. so cool. thanks!
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Thx for sharing
Interesting, thx
I am glad to know about this A christmas tree will only last 10-15 days inside you put yours up to early
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That is nice information. I guess I have to find some more information on the matter.
Lol, great post.
You know the beauty of this post as indeed your wonderful site is that it is so basic. There nothing technical hard to understand things here. We all use Xmas but really some would not know why. Thanks for the answer.
I pronounce it "Christmas" and not "exs-mas" I was gonna put x-mas on an email but my coworkers said not to do that just in case I might offend my boss
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Very interesting article and something I’ve been giving some thought to lately. thank you
i came to site looking for the right grammar rule but i found that your latest post is 1 month ago. I hope you are fine and doing well..
Thanks for the post. You made some very good points that everyone should take into consideration.
I never knew that the x had greek roots
this is such great information.
i never looked at it like this before. this is so good.
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Wooww, did not know about the origins about Christmas word, thanks. i learned something new today.
That is very interesting about the Greek letter "chi"...I would have never thought about that. You learn something new every day.
Hmmmmmmmm........I see. I didn't know this. Thanks for telling me. Have a nice day.
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Thanks for sharing your valuable time and information. It is really very helpful. The knowledge you have provided about X mas tree is really useful. Thanks a lot.
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Thank for the info
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Thats actually really interesting. I never knew!
Thanks for the correction. We should pronounce the word as it is meant to be I will never say it as Xmas let us pronounce it correctly "CHRISTMAS". Thanks a lot.
This news is new to everyone that Christmas becomes Xmas. It is good in writing.
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An addition for stored knowledge. I know one day someone is going to ask me about xmas. Great share. Keep posting.
Good post. It's a new information for me about "X"Mas. Your post is really amazing. Keep posting such articles.
Amazing! Thanks!
I pronounce it with 'Ex-Mas'
Not sure what the proper pronunciation should be.
I am very excited with coming Xmas festival and it's very intersting and motivate me a lot.
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From where you collect this? Very interesting. Keep posting. I did not knoe the origin of Xmas before freading this article. Thanks for sharing. I thought the Xmas thing came from people who didn't believe in Christ and got rid of the Christ out of Christmas.
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We should put the emphasis on the word Christ when pronouncing Christmas we should also put the emphasis on Christ in our Christmas celebrations.
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X may also refer to shape of a tree
thanks for sharing this, i've learned a lot.
I guess it depends on my mood. Though I really say Christmas more often that Eks-Mas. It's the correct way of saying it anyway. :D
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Very informative post. Never knew how Xmas originated. Good to know now!
Very excellent explanation for "X-mas".I must appreciate with your second explanation.It's so clear for understand.Thanks for sharing.Keep in touch.
excellent information! I really wondered why "Christmas" has been abbreviated into "xmas". well, now I know. so cool. thanks!
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Brilliant work, i never knew that these words derives from ancient greek, i always thought it would be a shortcut for Christmas, thanks for sharing.
Xmas is always the favorite time of the year for the Christians. Right from the kids to the adults love to enjoy Christmas party. And of course the world actually does look different through the eyes of a child.
even though I'm not a christian, i was eager to know the abbreviation.. thanks for this info... I'll tell this to my christian friends.
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