Wondering About 'Xmas'? Here's Why Christmas Is Abbreviated

Contrary to common belief, "Xmas" isn't a modern shortcut to save space or an attempt to remove "Christ" from Christmas. It has roots dating back to the mid-1500s, and its origin is quite fascinating.

According to Dictionary.com, the use of "Xmas" started as an alternative way of writing "Christmas." The 'X' in "Xmas" isn't meant to be pronounced as "ecks" in English. Instead, it represents the Greek letter "chi," which is the first letter of the Greek word Χριστ?? (Christos), translating to (Jesus) Christ.

This use of 'X' as a symbol for Christ extended across languages. Other less common abbreviations following this style include "Xpian" and "Xtian," both representing the word "Christian."

ALSO READ:?8 Healthy Christmas Recipes To Balance The Holiday Indulgence

Interestingly, this practice of using Greek letters to symbolize Christians dates back to the time of the Roman Empire. As per U.S. Catholic Christians in the Roman Empire often marked their tombs and significant locations with the Chi-Rho symbol (?). The Chi-Rho is a stylized combination of the Greek letters chi and rho, the first two letters of Χριστ??.

The Chi-Rho symbol persisted through the fall of the Roman Empire and is still utilized by Eastern Orthodox Catholics today. So, the next time you see "Xmas," remember that it's a tradition reaching back centuries, connecting us to the ancient roots of Christianity.

ALSO READ:?Lights, Bells And Broken Dishes: Unique Celebrations On New Year's Eve Across The Globe