AboutCarol Pozefsky Expertise Etymology: The origins of English words and phrases.
Anchor/Reporter NBC and CBS Networks. News Director 3 Regional Radio Stations.
Question Hi Carol
I am interested in finding out where the word "Christmas" originated and also the word "mass" in refence to Christmas.
Thanks for your help
Hannah
Answer Hello and thank you for your question,
The word Christ stems from the Middle and Old English word Crist meaning the anointed one, the Lord's Anointed. It is borrowed from the Latin Christus and from the Greek Christos also meaning the anointed one. The Greek is a translation of Hebrew mashiah meaning anointed of the Lord or Messiah. In the word Christmas, the suffix mas evolves from the Old English word maesse meaning festival, feast day or mass.
The best to you always, Carol P.
