Christmas vs. Xmas: What's the Difference?

What's the deal with the term "Xmas?" Is it simply an abbreviation for the holiday with tree and the gifts that we love so much here at Holidash? Or is the term related to an insidious, anti-Christmas plot to stamp out joy, eggnog and gift-giving for all eternity?

There seems to be a lot of confusion out there surrounding the origins of term Xmas. Some of the paranoid Christmas-lovers among us believe it to be a sacrilegious weapon in the so-called "War on Christmas" -- and some bah-humbug types agree. Still, some of us wish they could use "Xmas," because it's shorter (and we're lazy), but avoid it because we're afraid it might be interpreted as anti-Christmas.

The truth is, most of us are a little under-informed here (that's a nice way of saying dumb), and yet still a little bit right. The origin of the word Xmas is simple: For centuries it has been a perfectly acceptable shorthand for the word "Christmas." The "X" in Xmas comes from the Greek letter Chi, which just so happens to be the first letter in the word Χριστός (Christ in Greek).

Since very few of us are Greek scholars these days, many have mistaken the "X" for a mathematical variable -- as in, a way to avoid the religious connotations of the Christmas holiday. Others have taken it a step further, believing that the "X" actually crosses out the term Christ -- as in, "taking the Christ out of Christmas."

While the historical evidence doesn't support the "war on Christmas" interpretation, the pop culture status of Xmas isn't so clear. Since many of the religious groups battling the supposed "secularization of Christmas" have identified the X-word as an anti-Christmas slur, it's largely avoided.

As a result of the misplaced controversy, most style guides recommend that you simply write out the whole word "Christmas" in all but the most informal circumstances.

It's too bad, really. I hate to lose a good abbreviation ... and all over a misunderstanding. Maybe we should start some kind of internet crusade to restore the word Xmas to its pre-1990s glory. Any takers? Merry Xmas, everyone.

Posted Dec 5th 2009 4:00PM by Josh Loposer

I heard about this the other day when I was in a class for church a lady in the class informed me about it so I am informing you just in case you didn't know like me.