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Original poster

To be annoyed by the word Xmas?

37 replies

Alisonjayne8 · 22/12/2025 18:35

That's it really, whenever I read it in a thread, it winds me up. I prefer christmas, Xmas sounds wrong when speaking it out loud.

OP posts:
DappledThings · 22/12/2025 19:18

tartyflette · 22/12/2025 18:58

I used to know a very religious lady who hated the word Xmas because to her the X replaced the word Christ, thus cancelling Christ from Christmas.
I'm a non-religious person and always thought that, if anything, it was a reference to the cross or possibly the crucifixion, so linking Jesus' birth and death. I may be reaching somewhat.

She wasn't very well informed. The X stands for Christ using the Greek. It doesn't erase it

ErrolTheDragon · 22/12/2025 19:18

tartyflette · 22/12/2025 18:58

I used to know a very religious lady who hated the word Xmas because to her the X replaced the word Christ, thus cancelling Christ from Christmas.
I'm a non-religious person and always thought that, if anything, it was a reference to the cross or possibly the crucifixion, so linking Jesus' birth and death. I may be reaching somewhat.

Thats pretty ignorant of Christian history and its symbols on her part. It was Christians who began using the Greek chi as an abbreviation for Christ. Some Christians refer to themselves as ‘Xtians’ or ‘Xian’s’. It’s also used as part of the ‘chi-Rho’ symbol.

ChristmasHug · 22/12/2025 19:04

The X part is the Greek letter chi, which is a similar shape to the letter X.

Its not a modern shortening if that's why you don't like it..

Abittrumpy · 22/12/2025 19:01

What must it be like, being someone who has an issue with something like this?? I really don’t want to ever find out

MrsTerryPratchett · 22/12/2025 18:59

tartyflette · 22/12/2025 18:58

I used to know a very religious lady who hated the word Xmas because to her the X replaced the word Christ, thus cancelling Christ from Christmas.
I'm a non-religious person and always thought that, if anything, it was a reference to the cross or possibly the crucifixion, so linking Jesus' birth and death. I may be reaching somewhat.

It’s from the Greek I believe, not a reference to the cross. But it is religious, not atheist.

tartyflette · 22/12/2025 18:58

I used to know a very religious lady who hated the word Xmas because to her the X replaced the word Christ, thus cancelling Christ from Christmas.
I'm a non-religious person and always thought that, if anything, it was a reference to the cross or possibly the crucifixion, so linking Jesus' birth and death. I may be reaching somewhat.

Mikart · 22/12/2025 18:49

I love Xmas

JDM625 · 22/12/2025 18:48

I might write it as Xmas at times, but would still pronounce it as Christmas.

MrsTerryPratchett · 22/12/2025 18:46

So don’t use it.

I still will.

Original poster
Alisonjayne8 · 22/12/2025 18:45

Ah, I did not know that, you learn something new every day.

OP posts:
Goldeh · 22/12/2025 18:39

X has been used for centuries as shorthand for Christ, as has the written word Xmas but it's still pronounced Christmas.

cinquanta · 22/12/2025 18:36

It’s supposed to be just a written abbreviation but pronounced Christmas.