The X in Xmas
Updated February 23, 2017 | Factmonster Staff 
The Question:
I am wondering what the X in Xmas means? Why is Christmas abbreviated this way?
The Answer:
Contrary to popular belief, the X is not a euphemism to make the holiday seem culturally neutral. The Greek word for Christ is ΧÏιÏÏοÏ. The first letter, a chi, looks like the English X. X has accordingly been used as an abbreviation for Christ for centuries. Xmas, like Christmas, thus literally means "Christ's mass."
-The Fact Monster
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