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Xian (sometimes Xtian) is a common abbreviation for the word Christian. 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. The -ian is an adjective-forming suffix originating from the equivalent Latin suffix -ianus. 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.

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. 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."

References

1. Garman, Michael (1990). Psycholinguistics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 35. ISBN 0521276411.
2. 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.
3. ^ "X, n. 10". OED Online. Oxford University Press. March 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
4. Jacobson, Judy (2001). A Field Guide for Genealogists. Baltimore, MD: Clearfield Company, Inc. p. 44. ISBN 0806350989.
5. 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.

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