Xmas
/ˈkrɪsməs
/ /ˈɛksməs /noun
Informal term for Christmas.One of my Xmas presents was a waterproof radio that you can listen to in the shower....
- It was one of those presents that have impact far beyond the usual Xmas present run.
- We will be putting the Xmas tree up today, and probably hanging the cards up as well.
Synonyms
Christmas, Christmastime, Christmastide, festive season;
Nativity;
Indian Burra Din
British informal Chrimbo, Crimbo, Chrissie, Chrissy
literary Yuletide, Yule, Noel
Origin
X representing the initial chi of Greek Khristos 'Christ'.
This term for Christmas was originally only a written form, with X representing the initial letter of Greek Khristos, ‘Christ’, in the Greek alphabet. It is not possible to tell when people started pronouncing it with the sound of x.