Everything You Need to Know About the Christmas Abbreviation Xmas

The elves have almost finished making the toys, and Father Christmas is getting ready to put on his big red coat because Xmas is nearly here. But why exactly do we call it Xmas?

X-mas meaning and examples

Xmas, sometimes written with a hyphen, is an abbreviation of Christmas. It is an informal word, but the meaning is exactly the same. It is not as frequently used in spoken language but is extremely common in informal writing, such as text messages and online, as it is simpler than writing out the full word.

Here are a few examples of the word Xmas in context:

Are you coming to the Xmas party?

I’m spending Thanksgiving with my mom and Xmas with my dad.

X-mas is my favorite holiday!

When did people start saying Xmas?

Xmas seems like a modern word. That is because most abbreviations, such as LOL and ASAP, are all more recent words that have made their way into the dictionary. Back when we paid per letter in text messages, it was vital that we shorten words as much as possible. However, Xmas is not a modern term. British writers such as Lord Byron and Lewis Carroll used the word in the 19th century, and it appeared in a list of common abbreviations and contractions in an American version of the Royal Standard English Dictionary when it was published in Boston in 1800.

What does the X mean in Xmas?

X means Christ. Let’s break down how this came to be:

Χριστός is the Greek word for Christ, also written Christós. The first letter is “Chi,” which is written as an “X.”

Other examples of words that begin with “Christ,” which can be replaced by the letter X, include “Xians” for Christians and pop singer Christina Aguilera, who often goes by the name “Xtina.”

What does “mas” mean in “Christmas”?

As it is a religious holiday, you shouldn’t be surprised that “Christ” is not the only religious reference in the word “Christmas.” The second part of the word “Christmas” comes from the word “mæsse.” This originates from the Latin word “missa,” which means the celebration of the Eucharist or communion.

Why do people call Christmas Xmas?

We call Christmas “Xmas” for the same reason we call presents “prezzies” or breakfast “brekkie,” admittedly, this is more common in Great Britain than it is across the pond. People like to shorten things, to create funny words for things, just like we give nicknames to people. It’s fun and lighthearted, that’s why it’s considered informal, and you shouldn’t use “Xmas” in professional or formal contexts.

If you split the word in two, you can see that X and mas (or mass) have religious origins, but nowadays, it is used across many cultures and religions as a fun abbreviation.