why are people so touchy about the word xmas?

Question

why are people so touchy about the word xmas?

Answer 1

It's a popular myth that "xmas" takes Christ out of Christmas. In fact, for years I thought my mom was evil because she marked all the boxes Xmas for storage.

However, I found out recently that the X in Xmas isn't as bad as I thought. In the greek lettering system, X = Chi, which for them, actually meant Christ.

Ergo, it's technically shorthand to just write Xmas, using the greek X to represent Christ, rather than take Him out.

Answer 2

Really interesting range of answers here and those saying that 'X' is a perfectly valid symbol for 'Christ' are absolutely right, so 'Xmas' doesn't in itself 'take the Christ out of Chrstmas'. Personally I get touchy about people using Xmas here there and everywhere as a replacement for the full word Christmas when it should only be used as an abbreviation (so the example of someone's mum using it to mark boxes is fine, say). For people to write or worse than that print 'Merry Xmas' in cards, or display banners saying 'Happy Xmas' is just lazy and sloppy; think how you;d feel if someone wrote 'Happy B'day' in a birthday card!



On a final note, anyone who actually pronounces the 'X' as the letter and says 'Ex-mass' deserves to be taken out and shot!

Answer 3

they are the type of people that have to have something to complain about and right now thats the issue of choice



its really not that big of a deal. there are more important things to get worked up about than the semantics of a holiday



how do any of you know that is gesture of saying Xmas instead of christmas is insulting to Christ? When was his displeasure made? did I miss the bulletin? Show me a verse or something that says this is disrespectful to Christ



You can't can you? Why is that? Probably because there is no mention of Christmas at all in the Bible, therefore how can this be viewed as some kind of insult

Answer 4

They don't take the time to actually research the history of what X meant in the Greek language. If they did, they would find out there is nothing in the least bit offensive about it. They are the type who are never happy unless they're complaining about something, this just happens to be what they chose at the moment.



I find it interesting that everyone says Christ is displeased with the abbreviation. Again, if you go back to researching the Greek language, you will find that is very likely not the case. However, he did instruct in the Bible that they were to remember his death, not his birth. Celebrating births was a Pagan practice and not something that a Jew or Christian would or should do.

Answer 5

Religious people are touchy because the word xmas doesn't have Christ in it. But this should be a choice, especially for those who are not religious or are of a different religion. Xmas should be allowed to be celebrated by everyone for their own reasons. Like spending time with family & friends where everyone gets together, in this case there is no "christ" just XMAS.

Answer 6

Believe it or not Xmas (the "cross" or x standing for Christ) has been around for over 1000 years!

Today, to many things are casually abbreviated, GQ for Gentleman's Quarterly, ASAP for As Soon As Possible, AKA for Also Known As, and the list goes on. Perhaps by saying Xmas some people feel we are being to casual with Christ.

Answer 7

Alot of people feel that when you abbreviate the word, that you have taken Christ - out of Christmas. With all of the stores making it a "material" holiday, and so many people just worried about gift giving and receiving, many have forgotten the true meaning of the holiday. I think some people get a little carried away though. I do think its a bit crazy for people to complain about a nativity scene in a church yard, or the words "Merry Christmas" being said in a school. In todays world, it is probably safer to say "Happy Holidays", if you truly mean it. There are a couple of holidays at this time of the year, not necessarily just Christmas. I, myself, celebrate the birth of Christ - so - Merry CHRISTmas to Me, and to others who celebrate another holiday for other reasons, may they have a Happy Holiday.

Answer 8

Because they don't understand what it means.



The Greek letters chi and rho written on top of each other have been used as a symbol for Christ since the second century. In mediaeval English engravings, the chi rho symbol was often used as part of words like Christmas and Christian. When movable type printing came in, they didn't have a chi rho symbol, so they used X. So there's no problem spelling the word Xmas as long as it's pronounced Christmas.

Answer 9

Because they are oversensitive and don't know what they are talking about. "X" is the Greek letter "Chi," which is used to symbolize Christ.



Also keep in mind that, like many other "Christian" holidays, Christmas was a pagan holiday perverted by Christians who were bent on dominating the masses. After all, the precursor to Christmas used to be a day where medieval nobles opened their castles for a feast for their subordinates, who were also allowed to take "gifts" from the castle.



If Christ is important to you, by all means keep calling it Christmas. But for those of us who are not Christian but still like the idea of celebrating a family holiday where we can share in the gift-giving tradition, let us do what we want.

Answer 10

Some people believe that it removes "Christ" from Christmas.



The abbreviation, Xmas, can be seen in Eastern Othordox churches where the "X" is the Greek letter chi and is an abbreviation of the Greek for "Christ".

Answer 11

Christmas is about the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, a time for reflection on his birth. Using the word Xmas takes Christ out of the equation and just cheapens a time of year for rejoicing into another day, making it nothing special, just commercialising it.

Answer 12

It's a deep-seated need some Christians have to feel that they are being persecuted combined with a total ignorance of the history of Christianity.

Answer 13

i didnt know they were!

but maybe its because christmas has the word christ in and that is what christmas is alll about the birth of christ

so if you put xmas it takes all the meaning out of christmas



that is my best guess!

Answer 14

Now, if one thought of the x representing the cross it would make a little more sense. However...

Like Jane and others said:

For the many it takes Christ out of Christmas

Is insulting to Christ

and is insulting to the intelligence of anyone who believes in Christ and or celebrates His special day.

Does it ar*se me, well, not nearly as much as some, but I do attempt to be respectfull of others and not use the abbreviation.



Charles "That Cheeky Lad"

Answer 15

Yeah, just as other said, the short form has taken 'Christ' out of the whole word. To me, I'm OK with it even though I'm a Christian. Just when they say the word, they still pronounce it 'Christmas', not 'X' 'mas' will do. :-P

Answer 16

The point of Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Christ. Using that term completely takes the reason for the celebration out.

Answer 17

I have no idea, because it has nothing to do with religion anymore anyway, its all about buying millions of presents and wasting loads of food. A real "f**k you" to the poor. Now thats not very Christian is it...

Answer 18

Those who are touchy are probably older, and christians who celebrate Christs birth ... Christ mass ... so Xmas is giving no definition to Christ!!

Answer 19

It is OK as long as the same respect is shown when you use it.



It should not be used as a flippant alternative to the word Christmas.



It is the spirit, not the letters of the word, which is important.

Answer 20

Do You Mean Christmas, the other means your leaving God and Christ out of Christmas.



Anyway thats what I was told when young child.

Answer 21

Because it takes Christ out of Christmas, which is what is happening now a days.



I did hear that the X stood for the cross, but I am not sure this is true.

Answer 22

You know i never thought about it til i started reading it on yahoo answers but i am going to stop doing it because it takes Christ out of "Christ"mas. I use to do it because it was shorter and i'm always looking for a short cut.

Answer 23

I'm not. Some people need to get a life. It is all the same.

Answer 24

THE REAL WORD IS CHRISTMAS CAUSE IT MANS CHRIST MASS AND XMAS YOU ARE TAKING OUT THE HOLY NAME AND IT DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING. CHRISTMAS IS NOT ONLY ABOUT SANTA AND PRESENTS WHEN YOU HAVE A REALLY GOOD THINK ABOUT CHRISTMAS YOU WILL SEE THAT OUR JESUS IS ON THE FIRST PLACE AND THAT'S WHY WE CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS AND NOT ONLY SANTA AND PRESENTS. I THINK THE SNTA IS FOR CHRISTMAS CAUSE ITS ON JESUS'S BIRTHDAY IS CAUSE JESUS LOVES KIDS AD THAT SANTA MEANS THAT JESUS MAKE CHILDREN'S WISHES COME TRUE...

Answer 25

Removing Christ out of Christmas takes the meaning out of it.

Answer 26

It takes Christ out of Christmas

Answer 27

because it's was made up by the Jews for the Christmas shopping days .

Answer 28

Political Correctness gone MAD!

Answer 29

It takes "Christ" out of "Christ"mas...and yes I'm a little touchy about that.

Answer 30

cos its such an effort to write christmas isnt it and maybe cos its the mass of christ ie christmas

Answer 31

x might represent the cross. where as christmas is about celebrating the birth.

Answer 32

some do not believe in god and think it is a bad holiday, some think that it is to commercial,some do not like having good deeds and christain beliefs thrown in there face

Answer 33

well everyone have something or some occasion that would touch them or bring them those sweet memory. im sure you have too.

Answer 34

Because it is being disrespectful to Christ.

Answer 35

I didn't know they were????