Festive words and their origins

Charlotte Guest
Woman dressed warmly playing in the snow
Reading time: 4 minutes

The festive season is coming, bringing with it certain words we only hear at this time of year. But have you ever wondered where these words come from or what they actually mean? Let’s have a look.

  • Christmas: This word comes from “Christ’s Mass.” It is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus. Today, many people around the world celebrate Christmas with family, food and gifts.
  • Xmas: This is a short form of “Christmas”. The “X” stands for the Greek letter “Chi”, the first letter of “Christ”, which has been used for many centuries.
  • Noel: This word comes from French, and it also means “Christmas”. It likely comes from Latin “natalis”, which means “birth.” You may see “Noel” (or "Noël") on cards and decorations.
  • Yule or Yuletide: “Yule” is an old word from Norse languages, and was a winter festival before Christmas. “Yuletide” means the Christmas season.
Festive words and their surprising origins
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  • Advent: This is the time of waiting before Christmas. It usually begins four Sundays before Christmas Day. The word comes from Latin “adventus”, meaning “coming.”
  • Advent calendar: A special calendar used in December. Each day, you open a small door or window to find a picture, a chocolate or a message.
  • Nativity: This means “birth”, and it usually refers to the birth of Jesus. A “nativity scene” shows Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, shepherds and animals.
  • Manger: A manger is a feeding box for animals. "Manger" entered Middle English around the 13th–14th century via Old French mangeoire, “feeding trough”. That noun is built from the French verb manger, “to eat”, which traces back to Latin manducare, “to chew, eat”.
  • Christmas cracker: A festive paper tube that “cracks” when two people pull it apart. It was invented in Victorian London by confectioner Tom Smith in the 1840s, inspired by French bonbons. He later added the crackling “snap”, paper hats, jokes and small gifts.
  • Carol: A carol is a festive song. Long ago, “carol” meant a dance with singing. Today, people sing carols at church, in schools or from door to door. Carol singing is a tradition that started in medieval times and was also part of wassailing, where people offered songs in exchange for food or drink during winter in England. The practice became popular again in the 1800s, with organized services and donations.
  • Santa Claus: The modern name comes from Dutch “Sinterklaas”, which means Saint Nicholas. Santa is the legendary friendly figure who brings gifts.
  • Saint Nicholas: A Christian saint from the city of Myra (in modern Turkey). He is famous for kindness and secret gifts. His story inspired Santa Claus.
  • Sleigh: A vehicle that slides on snow and ice; Santa’s sleigh carries presents. The English “sleigh” comes from Dutch "slee" (also slede), meaning a sledge or sled. It entered American English in the 1700s through Dutch-speaking communities in New Netherland (present‑day New York/New Jersey).
  • Elf: In Christmas stories, elves are small helpers who make toys. The word is very old and comes from early Germanic languages.
  • Stocking: A big sock hung by the fireplace or bed, for Santa to fill with small gifts. "Stocking" entered English in the 16th century, built from stock + -ing. "Stock" in Middle English had come to mean “hose/leg covering”, and it traces back to a Germanic root (Old English "stocc", German "Stock") meaning “trunk, log, or main stem". The custom is tied to the St. Nicholas legend, which says that he secretly dropped bags of gold down the chimney; the gold is said to have landed in stockings that the daughters had hung by the fireplace to dry.
  • Wreath: A round decoration made from evergreen branches. The circle shape can mean eternity or unending love. Wreath goes back to a Germanic root meaning “to twist, wind”. In English, it’s tied to the Old English verb writhan “to twist” (the source of today’s "writhe" and "wreathe"). The Advent wreath developed in German‑speaking Protestant circles in the 16th–19th centuries, with the modern form popularized in 1839 by the Lutheran pastor Johann Hinrich Wichern. Its circle symbolizes eternity; evergreens symbolize enduring life.
  • Mistletoe: A plant hung in doorways. There is a tradition of kissing under mistletoe. Long ago, people thought it brought peace and good luck. "Mistletoe" goes back to Old English "misteltān", literally “mistel twig”.  By the 18th–19th centuries in Britain, mistletoe became a festive house decoration.
  • Holly and ivy: These are both evergreen plants with bright leaves, and holly also has red berries). They are used in winter to make homes look lively and green.  "Holly" originates from the Old English word "holegn/holen" (later Middle English "holin/holly"), which is derived from a Germanic root. It’s related to Dutch "hulst".
  • Tinsel and baubles: Tinsel is a thin, shiny strip used to decorate trees. It was first made from real silver in Germany. A bauble is a small, round decoration that hangs on the tree. From Middle English "bauble", borrowed from Old French "baubel/bauble" meaning “trinket” or “child’s toy”. "Tinsel" comes into English via Anglo-French "tincele", from Old French "étincelle" meaning “spark”. 
  • Mince pie: A small sweet pie popular in the UK and other places. Long ago, the filling had meat. Today, it is usually dried fruit and spices called “mincemeat”, which contains no meat.
  • Eggnog: A creamy drink made with milk, eggs, sugar and nutmeg. Eggnog is a blend of “egg” and “nog.” The “egg” is straightforward, reflecting the drink’s base, while “nog” likely comes from either “nog,” a term for a strong ale used in 17th‑century England, or “noggin,” a small wooden drinking cup. Put together, the name essentially means “egg drink”, often served in a noggin or made with a strong, ale-like base. The word “eggnog” itself is first attested in American English in the late 18th century, influenced by earlier British drinks like posset and milk punch.
  • Yule log: Traditionally, a big log burned during Christmas. Today, it is also a chocolate cake shaped like a log. In French, it is “bûche de Noël”.
  • Tidings: This old word means “news” or “message”. “Glad tidings” means "happy news".
  • Merry vs. Happy: In the United States, people say “Merry Christmas”. In the UK, “Happy Christmas” is also common. “Season’s Greetings” is a friendly, neutral message.

And there you have it – a little insight into the origins of some of these Christmas words. Next time a festive film mentions “pulling a Christmas cracker,” "hanging a wreath", or "singing a carol", you'll know exactly what they mean.

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