Xianity

English edit

From Christianity, replacing Christ with the abbreviation X, from Ancient Greek Χ (Kh, the letter chi), the first letter of Χριστός (Khristós, “Christ”). Compare the more common Xmas.

Xianity (uncountable)

Abbreviation of Christianity.
- 1861, Sussex Archaeological Society, quoting Vicar of Rye, Sussex Archaeological Collections relating to the History and Antiquities of the County, volume 13, Sussex: George P. Bacon, page 62:
  Not but that I perswade myselfe to bee able to convince you (if you list to undergoe yo^r triall) how interolerable an injury it is you doe y^rselfe, in y^e first place, y^r ignorant followers, y^e King's authority, y^e credit of the towne, and y^e progress of Xianity in general, in these parts, by y^r schisme and separation.
- 1950 December 14, Lewis, C. S., letter to Sheldon Vanauken, quoted in Sleuthing C. S. Lewis by Kathryn Ann Lindskoog:
  I believe Buddhism to be a simplification of Hinduism and Islam to be a simplification of Xianity.

As with Xmas, as of the late 20th century this term may be considered informal or disrespectful.