Tuesday, December 24, 2013

ABC Wednesday: X is for Xtemmas

Xtemmas is an early version of Xmas dating to 1551. Around 1100 the term was written as "Xp̄es mæsse" in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. Xmas began to be used in the mid 1700s.  The "-mas" part is from the Latin-derived Old English word for Mass, while the "X" comes from the Greek letter Chi, which is the first letter of the Greek word Χριστός which comes into English as "Christ". I got the information above from this Wikipedia entry.
I hope everyone has a happy Xmas or whatever they celebrate or do over the holidays. Click for the home of ABC Wednesday.
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10 comments:

  1. IndraniDecember 24, 2013 at 6:15 AM

    I didn't know this. Great post.
    I have a X shower from sky. :)

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  2. Penelope NotesDecember 24, 2013 at 7:45 AM

    How interesting about Xmas! I thought the X was simply due to a bit of laziness in our modern culture not wanting to write out the entire word. The wooden decoration looks adorable on the tree and must be one of those precious ones that get unwrapped year after year. Wishing you and yours an Xcellent holiday season and a very happy New Year, Carver!

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  3. Leslie:December 24, 2013 at 11:11 AM

    I didn't know this, either! Wishing you all a very Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year.

    Leslie
    abcw team

    ReplyDelete
  4. RajeshDecember 24, 2013 at 11:15 AM

    Good to know this.
    Merry Christmas !

    ReplyDelete
  5. photowannabeDecember 24, 2013 at 1:36 PM

    Nice post.
    I still find it hard to say Merry Xmas instead of Merry Christmas.
    Have a wonderful holiday.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Roger Owen GreenDecember 24, 2013 at 1:48 PM

    well, I wouldn't SAY Xmas (or variation)) but would WRITE it.
    Merry Xmas, Carver!

    ROG, ABC Wednesday team

    ReplyDelete
  7. Powell River BooksDecember 24, 2013 at 9:53 PM

    I've learned a lot about Xmas this ABC Wednesday. Have a great Christmas and New Years. - Margy

    ReplyDelete
  8. LouisetteDecember 25, 2013 at 3:35 AM

    I have forget the origin of this word, interesting . Wishing you all a very Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year from Belgium

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  9. JoyDecember 25, 2013 at 3:48 PM

    Hope you had a merry Xp̄es mæsse. Love that Anglo Saxon.
    Joy - ABC Team

    ReplyDelete
  10. SuzyDecember 29, 2013 at 9:23 PM

    Another very interesting word learned today. Hope you had a great Christmas and wish you a wonderful 2014

    ReplyDelete

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