Have you ever use these words? Do you use them correctly? And do you know the origins of the words? Before we explain their etymological origins, we would like to celebrate your and your beloved ones’ Christmas and New Year. Stay tuned.
The word Christmas comes from Middle English Cristemasse, which in turn comes from Old English Cristes-messe, literally meaning Christ’s Mass.
As for the word “mas” as a suffix to the word Christmas, it can be said that this addition comes from Middle English “messe” or “masse” and from Old English “mæsse“. It was the Latin word “missa” meaning “dismissal”. Although the whole word is Christ’s Mass when translated verbatim, it is most probably not the physical mass or body. Rather it means something else which refers to the “one who has been chosen“. So it can be related to the word “messiah” (=the expected deliverer).
The letter X at the initial position at Xmas is used as an abbreviation of the Greek word of “Christ”, the Greek word Χριστός (Christos), that is Xmas.
And the word Noel comes from the Latin word “natalis“. It became “Noel” in Anglo-Norman French and “natal” in English, and nollaig in Irish. In Turkish, the word Noel is used for Christmas.
Some collocations with Christmas are as follows:
- Christmas Eve: the day before Christmas
- Christmas begonia: a flower grown for its many large pink flowers.
- Christmas bells: any of several plants withh large crimson or orange flowers
- Christmas-card: a card expressing a Christmas greeting
- Christmas carol: joyful religious music or song that celebrates the birth of Christ
- Christmas Day: The day regarded as the Christian holiday on 25th December, during which the Christians celebrate the birth of Christ
- Christmas gift: a present given at Christmas time (e.g. Boxing Day)
- Christmas present: a present given at Christmas time
- Christmas-tree: an ornamented tree or evergreen used as a Christmas decoration
Here are some examples in English:
- Every Christmas, my family enjoys reminiscing about past celebrations while creating new traditions that reflect our evolving values.
- The Christmas season in this city is marked by an impressive array of cultural events, each offering a unique glimpse into local holiday customs.
- As the holiday season approaches, I often find myself reflecting on the deeper significance of Christmas, contemplating both its religious and cultural impact.
Here are some examples in Turkish:
- Noel, sevdiklerimizle birlikte geçirdiğimiz zamanın, mutluluğun ve huzurun en yoğun hissedildiği dönemdir.
- Her yıl Noel’de, dünyayı saran umut dolu atmosfer, insanlara iyilik ve sevgiyle dolu yeni başlangıçlar sunar.
- Noel, geçmişin yüklerinden arınarak, geleceğe umutla bakmanın ve küçük mutlulukları takdir etmenin zamanıdır.
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