Settling on a Common Spelling of Hanukkah and Christmas

Is it Hanukkah or Chanukah? I have used both, usually going with the spelling used in whatever I am linking to. Both are correct, but in various places and eras, the holiday has been spelled

Chanucha, Chanuchah, Hanuca, Hanucka, Chanuca, Chanucah, Chanucca, Chanuccah, Chanuka, Chanukah, Chanukka, Chanukkah, Hanucah, Hanucca, Hanuccah, Hanucha, Hanuckah, Hanuka, Hanukah, Hanukka, Hanukkah, Khanukah, Khanukka, and Khanukkah.

That's due to the difficulty of translating חנוכה from Hebrew, which has its own alphabet. But Christmas has a similar history of various spellings, which include

Cristesmæsse, Xpes mæsse, Cristesmas, Crystesmasse, Kyrstemas, Kyrstemasse, Kyrstemaste, Kyrstemes, Cristmas, Crestmas, Crystmasse, Curstmas, Christmasse, Chrystmas, Christmass, and Christmas.

Oh yeah, there's also Xmas, which some folks objected to in recent years because they believe it takes Christ out of Christmas, yet the real story is exactly the oppposite. How did any of those odd spellings enter the lexicon? Find out in a history of holiday spelling at Grammarphobia. The article is about English spelling; there are plenty of other ways to say Christmas, from Noel to Navidad. -via Strange Company

(Image credit: Leonhard Lenz)


Newest 1
Newest 1 Comment

I did not know the origin of 'Xmas' and I found it really interesting considering "You're crossing Christ out of Christmas when you say Xmas" was drilled into me by Catholic Nuns (old ones too) back in the 60s. . . .
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Login to comment.




Email This Post to a Friend
"Settling on a Common Spelling of Hanukkah and Christmas"

Separate multiple emails with a comma. Limit 5.

 

Success! Your email has been sent!

close window
X

This website uses cookies.

This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using this website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

I agree
 
Learn More