Merry Christmas xxx

Xmas is a common abbreviation of the word Christmas. It is sometimes pronounced /ˈɛksməs/, but Xmas and variants such as Xtemass, originated as handwriting abbreviations for the typical pronunciation /ˈkrɪsməs/. The "-mas" part is from the Latin-derived Old English word for Mass, while the "X" comes from the Greek letter Chi, which is the first letter of the Greek word Χριστός which comes into English as "Christ".

There is a common belief that the word Xmas stems from a secular attempt to remove the religious tradition from Christmas by taking the "Christ" out of "Christmas", but its use dates back to the 16th century. So “Xmas” and “Christmas” are equivalent in every way except their lettering.

In fact, although writing guides such as those issued by the New York Times; the BBC; The Christian Writer’s Manual of Style; and Oxford Press discourage the use of Xmas in formal writing, at one time, it was a very popular practice, particularly with religious scribes, who are thought to have started the whole “Xmas” thing in the first place. Indeed, the practice of using the symbol “X” in place of Christ’s name has been going on amongst religious scholars for at least 1000 years.

Eventually, this shorthand trick spread to non-religious writings where nearly everywhere “Christ” appeared in a word, the Greek Chi would replace that part of the word. For example, in the 17th and 18th centuries, there are numerous non-religious documents containing instances of “Xine”, which was a common spelling for someone whose name was Christine.

I want to offer, on behalf of the ABC Wednesday team, a sincere wish that your Xmas, or Christmas, be a merry one.

An InLinkz Link-up

X for X-MAS & XXIV !!

Welcome to the XXIV post of this season!!  I am Xtremely Xcited to greet you all after X-MAS
even though the celebration still continues as Xpected. Hope you had an Xhilarating  time with your family and the blessings also spreads to the X's in this blessed season ;) I am not xactly and technically correct with the letter today but then I am not a Xynophobic either. I am not that smart to pursue Xylology however, so  if u wanna talk to me then hop on aboard, at your own risk of course.  On the bright side I am quite normal and not in the an X-Men category either...

Today's letter also reminds me of my all time magician hero Mandrake whose dream home was called Xanadu. However Xanadu is also a 1980 romantic musical fantasy film written by Marc Reid Rubel and directed by Robert Greenwald. Too much of information perhaps??? Xactly !! Lets chk ur Xciting posts and as you would Xpect its gonna be visited by us obviously

I have been having an Xtreme time till now and do not plan to stop. Hmm by the way is it getting too Xeric in here or is it just me?? Let me Xpedite the process of removing my thirst immediately... The "spirits" await me ;)

Merry X MAS Folks and a very Xciting      HAPPY NEW YEAR

PHENO


Let X Be the Unknown

X=?

Naming something "X" makes it not only cooler, but more mysterious.
The fact that X represents a single unknown, generic value in mathematical equations may be partly responsible for this fact.

From Planet X to Project X. From Generation X, to Brand X, for years, we have used X to identify something that we couldn't really quantify.

X stood for mystery, challenge and the unknown.

But way back before that, X had a much simpler meaning.

In Roman Numerals, X represents the number 10.

Why is this significant you ask?

Because as we near the end of round nine and prepare to begin round 10, I have been given the rare privilege once again, of devising a logo or badge to represent this blog in the next round.

So, without further ado, allow me to unveil the badge/logo for Round 10.

Display it proudly on your sidebars, or include it on your ABC Wednesday posts.

It is available under the Badge heading in various sizes.

It is now, no longer the unknown.

We have solved for X.

TROY