Xian (abbreviation)
Xian (sometimes Xtian) is a common abbreviation for the word Christian.[1][2] The X comes from the Greek letter Chi, the first letter of the Greek word Χριστός, Khristós, Latinized as Christus, and ultimately Anglicized as Christ.[3] The -ian is an adjective-forming suffix originating from the equivalent Latin suffix -ianus.[citation needed] The abbreviation follows a pattern similar to that of Xmas. It is generally reserved for highly informal writing. The abbreviation is sometimes used in place of the male given name Christian.[4]
The Oxford English Dictionary records Xtian as an adjective and a noun, first cited in 1845 (although Xtianity for Christianity is cited in 1634), but does not include Xian.[3] Xian can be seen in use in The Diary of Samuel Rogers, 1634-1638, where a footnote to the printed edition states that "Throughout his diary, Rogers abbreviates 'Christ' to 'X' and the same is true of 'Christian' ('Xian'), 'Antichrist' ('AntiX') and related words."[5]
References
- ^ Garman, Michael (1990). Psycholinguistics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 35. ISBN 0521276411.
- ^ Andrew, James (1817). Institutes of Grammar: As Applicable to the English Langage, Or as Introductory to the Study of Other Languages, Systematically Arranged, and Briefly Explained. London: Black, Parbury, and Allen. p. 11.
- ^ a b "X, n. 10". OED Online. Oxford University Press. March 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
- ^ Jacobson, Judy (2001). A Field Guide for Genealogists. Baltimore, MD: Clearfield Company, Inc. p. 44. ISBN 0806350989.
- ^ Rogers, Samuel (2004). Webster, Tom; Shipps, Kenneth W. (eds.). The Diary of Samuel Rogers, 1634-1638. Boydell Press. p. 4. ISBN 9781843830436. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
 | This Christianity-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 | This linguistics article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |