Is it Xmas yet?

The origin of the word Christmas - the mass of Christ - is not too difficult to figure out. But what about some of the other English words we hear and use every year around the holiday season?

By the time you've finished reading this article, you'll know why 'tis the season for turning the wheel, drinking a 'pint-stowp' and kissing people under the feces twig!

Xmas was first used as an English synonym for Christmas in 1551. The X, having been the Old English symbol for the cross of Christ, had by then become an abbreviation for Christ. Thus Xmas meant Christ's mass in Old English in reference to the church service celebrating his birth.

Xmas also has Greek origins. The letter X is the first letter of the Greek word for Christ, Xtos. This makes the Xtos Mass the equivalent of Christmas, and Xmas just a shorter form of it.

Some more interesting information on the X: In the days before general literacy, many people would sign documents by drawing a cross, the symbol of Christ, on the paper and then kiss it to show their sincerity. This is why an X at the bottom of a letter (or Christmas card) means a kiss.

To kiss or not to kiss
Speaking of kissing, meeting under the mistletoe for a Christmas kiss can be a fun, embarrassing or romantic experience. But the origin of the word mistletoe is rather odd, and knowing it might make you rethink the sentimental nature of this tradition.

The word originated in Old English from two parts. The '-toe' suffix was originally 'tan' and meant 'twig'. The first part, 'mistle', refers to a particular bird, the mistle (or missel) thrush. So literally, the word means "twig of the mistle thrush" - not an especially exciting explanation. But why that bird? Here's where the story gets interesting.

In pre-scientific Europe, people actually thought that mistletoe plants sprang spontaneously from the excrement of the mistle thrush. They noticed that mistletoe plants often appeared on twigs where these birds had left their feces.

Although spontaneous generation has long been discredited, the word origin of "mistletoe" wasn't too far off the mark. We now know, in fact, that the seeds of European mistletoe plants germinate only after being digested and passed by birds. And we also know that the berry of mistletoe plants is a favorite treat of the mistle thrush. So while their reasoning wasn't exactly accurate, naming the plant 'twig of mistle thrush' seems to be justified after all.

'Yule' never guess...
The exact origins of the English word Yule are still disputed. The various theories do, however, share some common elements.

That the word comes from wheel is a widely held view, with the Old Norse 'hjól' as one contending source. This theory suggests an image of a turning wheel, symbolizing the turning seasons. This is certainly a plausible explanation, and can be used to substantiate another suggestion that the word Yule comes from the word Jól or Jule - a pre-Christian midwinter festival celebrating the winter solstice around December 21st. And similarly, other theorists proclaim that the word has an even older Indo-European root meaning 'to go around', in this case meaning the turn of the year.

What is certain is that the word Yule (and Yuletide) as we know it in Modern English has evolved from the Old English spelling 'geol' and Middle English spelling 'yole'. And like the word's modern Scandinavian counterpart Jul (and Juletid), it is now unmistakably linked with Christmas celebrations.

And let's not forget about New Year's Eve
After popping the champagne, throwing mountains of confetti and finding the right person for your New Year's kiss, many English-speaking revelers sing this traditional song.

But what on earth does it actually mean? Most native-English speakers couldn't even tell you. So here are the words to the song we all think we know - published by Scotland's national poet Robert Burns in 1788 - and a modern English translation to help us figure out what we're singing!

Auld Lang Syne

Original Scots version	Modern English translation
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And auld lang syne?	Should we forget acquaintances from the past, And never remember them? Should we forget acquaintances from the past, As well as the times gone by?
CHORUS: For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne, We'll tak a cup of kindness yet, For auld lang syne!	CHORUS: For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne, We'll tak a cup of kindness yet, For auld lang syne!
And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp, And surely I'll be mine, And we'll tak a cup o kindness yet, For auld lang syne!	And you'll pay for your tankard of ale, And I'll pay for mine, Let's raise our glass, For times gone by.
We twa hae run about the braes, And pou'd the gowans fine, But we've wander'd monie a weary fit, Sin auld lang syne.	We used to run across the meadows, Picking many fine daisies, But we've wandered until our feet have become weary, Since times gone by.
We twa hae paidl'd in the burn Frae morning sun till dine, But seas between us braid hae roar'd Sin auld lang syne.	We used to paddle in the stream, From noon until evening, But wide oceans between us have roared, Since times gone by.
And there's a hand my trusty fiere, And gie's a hand o thine, And we'll tak a right uid-willie waught, For auld lang syne.	Here's my hand, my trusty friend, And let me take yours, too, And we'll take a great big goodwill drink, For times gone by.