Do Americans say Xmas?

In the United States, the fifth American edition of William Perry's Royal Standard English Dictionary, published in Boston in 1800, included in its list of "Explanations of Common Abbreviations, or Contraction of Words" the entry: "Xmas. Christmas." Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. used the term in a letter dated 1923.

What do Americans call Christmas Day?

A 2012 poll by Rasmussen Reports indicated that 68 percent of Americans prefer the use of "Merry Christmas", while 23 percent preferred "Happy Holidays".

What is Xmas in American English?

Xmas is used in informal written English to represent the word Christmas. Merry Xmas! What is this an image of? What is this an image of?

Is it OK to say Xmas?

The early church actually formulated “x” as a symbol for Christ. It did not appear out of a secular agenda to discredit the reason for the season. Christianity uses many symbols in addition to “Xmas” such as the fish and the cross, but “Xmas” is used less frequently by believers today.

How do Americans say Happy Christmas?

Almost seven in ten Americans prefer to say 'Merry Christmas' instead of 'Happy Holidays', a new DailyMail.com poll has revealed. Just 26 percent of people opt for a less religious greeting during the festive period, according the results.

Should Americans say Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays? - BBC News

Why do Americans say Merry Christmas but Brits say Happy Christmas?

For starters, it's important to note that "Happy Christmas" hasn't faded completely—it's still widely used in England. This is believed to be because "happy" took on a higher class connotation than "merry," which was associated with the rowdiness of the lower classes.

Why do Americans say Merry Christmas instead of happy?

The answer is based on what the language represents: “happy” is a feeling, whereas “merry” is a behaviour. Furthermore, the bishop John Fisher wished “Merry Christmas" in a letter to Henry VIII's top minister Thomas Cromwell. The date of the letter is 1534, and it was written in London.

Do Catholics say Xmas?

Most Catholics have heard the saying, “Keep Christ in Christmas.” We believe it and still write Xmas as shorthand. Some of our family, friends, and ecumenical kin take offense at the practice. However, even though we usually write Xmas for convenience, we are continuing with a sacred tradition.

Why do people say Xmas instead?

Contrary to popular belief, Xmas is not a way of shortening the word to save space nor is it an attempt to remove “Christ” from the word — quite the opposite actually. According to Dictionary.com, the use of Xmas first started in the mid-1500s as just another way of writing it.

What do people say Xmas instead of Christmas?

In the early days of the Christian church, Christians used the letter X as a secret symbol to indicate their membership in the church to others. If you know the Greek meaning of X, Xmas and Christmas essentially mean the same thing: Christ + mas = Christmas. Looking for more holiday-themed fun?

What does Xmas mean slang?

Xmas. / (ˈɛksməs, ˈkrɪsməs) / noun. informal short for Christmas.

Is Christmas in UK or USA?

Duration Americans do Christmas in one day – December 25. In the UK and Ireland, it often lasts for 10 days and can sometimes go on for nearly a month. Americans have Thanksgiving in late November but also have far shorter breaks from work. The UK now combines Christmas and New Year into one big, unofficial, holiday.

How do they say Christmas in South America?

Here Come the Posadas. While it's a fact that Navidad is the Spanish word for Christmas, for many Latinos it's almost as if those two words had completely different meanings.

What do Americans do on Christmas Eve?

Many churches hold Christmas Eve candlelight or midnight services. Some include a Mass of the Nativity or a dramatization of the birth of Jesus. As with so many aspects of U.S. cultural life, Christmas in the United States reflects the values of a free and diverse people.

Should it be a Xmas or an Xmas?

The word 'Xmas' begins with consonant sound – i.e. 'Christmas' – therefore the article 'a' may be used. Please explain which one is correct. If you say 'a Christmas card', 'a' must be used. If you say Xmas as Eks-mas, use 'an'.

How do British people call Christmas a slang word?

Holiday Terminology

Well, we wager you've not heard the shorthand slang of “Chrimbo” or “Crimble” for Christmas, which it's hard to believe originated in the 1920s!

Is it a British thing to say Happy Christmas?

Brits say "Happy Christmas" instead of "Merry Christmas."

You might remember a scene from the first "Harry Potter" movie in which Ron says, "Happy Christmas, Harry!" While this may sound strange to an American, saying "Happy Christmas" is commonplace in the UK, as opposed to "Merry Christmas."

What do Catholics call Little Christmas?

The name Epiphany comes from the Greek epiphaneia, meaning “appearance” or “manifestation,” and refers to the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the world. The holiday is also called the Feast of Epiphany, Theophany, or Three Kings' Day.

Can I say Mary Christmas?

Using religious symbols or phrases could indicate an unlawful religious preference, but HUD has said that use of secularized terms or symbols such as Santa Claus, or phrases like "Merry Christmas" don't violate federal fair housing laws.

What do Catholics call Christmas Eve?

Western churches have traditionally observed Christmas Eve (properly the Vigil of the Nativity) as a liturgical observance distinct from the masses of Christmas Day, with the proper Gospel at the Mass for the Vigil of the Nativity being that of the Annunciation to Joseph in Matthew 1.

Can Muslims say Merry Christmas?

Just as Christians wish Muslims happy Eid, we can definitely our wishes to Christians for a merry Christmas. Islam is all about reciprocating kindness with kindness.” And so in the spirit of the holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzah and a belated Hanukkah Sameach!

Do Brits say Happy New Year?

In the UK we say “Happy new year!” I'm always puzzled by people in American movies who say “Happy NOO year's!”

How does Australia say Merry Christmas?

Over four in five Australians (85%) prefer the traditional greeting of “Merry Christmas” compared to more neutral salutations like “Season's Greetings” (8%) and “Happy Holidays” (7%).

When did Americans start saying Merry Christmas instead of Happy Christmas?

But Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol popularized the phrase the most because it was a bestseller when it was published in 1843. At one point, Scrooge's nephew exclaims “A Merry Christmas, uncle!

What is the most popular Christmas tradition in the US?