# Xian offensive? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 20, 2001, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xian-offensive/69491 "2001-06-20T16:22:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Shortie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@Shortie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shortie)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2001, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xian-offensive/69491/1 "2001-06-20T16:22:09Z")
So I was in another forum, and I got told off for using ‘Xian’\* instead of Christian. I’ve yet to track down exactly why he thinks it’s offensive, but it’s along the lines of it misrepresenting it or being an inaccurate word to use, or possibly because of the association with Xmas. As I understand it it’s from an abbreviation used by early Christians, with the greek letter ‘chi’ standing in for ‘Christ’, which has been simplified to a capital X for modern english-speakers. I appreciate that if it really bugs people I shouldn’t use it, but I don’t understand why it’s being described as offensive. Is it offensive, am I missing something, or just being insensitve? (Not sure if this is the right forum, but it’s about opinion, so why not. ) (\*As an aside, should it be Xian or Xtian? I’ve seen both.) ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2001, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xian-offensive/69491/2 "2001-06-20T16:25:50Z")
I thought you were writing about China! The main reason for not using “Xian” for Christian is to avoid confusion with Xian, a place in China (pronounced shi-an). ---
**Author:** ![Morrison\_s\_Lament](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Morrison\_s\_Lament](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morrison_s_Lament)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2001, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xian-offensive/69491/3 "2001-06-20T16:30:51Z")
LOL, I too assumed this was a China related thread. My dad just came back from a trip to Xian the other day so I was ready to offer any advice I could on thje subject 😃 The christian thing I know nothing at all about. Doesn’t offend me, but then, I’m not christian 😃 — G. Raven ---
**Author:** ![south333](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5f9b8f/32.png) [@south333](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/south333)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2001, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xian-offensive/69491/4 "2001-06-20T16:57:48Z")
Personally I don’t find it offensive. I do know of some people that find it offensive because they believe that the X is marking out Christ. I don’t see how that applies with Christian, but more with Christmas. I prefer Christian to Xtian or Xian just because. The later two are fine as well, but not all people understand it. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![cher3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2001, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xian-offensive/69491/5 "2001-06-20T17:00:22Z")
I’ve seen a number of threads about this in the past. In general someone complains about the “X” being disrespectful, especially in the context of “Xmas.” Pretty soon someone with more historical perspective points out that the use of “X” as a symbol for “Christ” has a long and respectable pedigree, going back to the very beginning. I wouldn’t worry about it, if I were you. Anyone who is offended needs to learn more about their own religion. ---
**Author:** ![Shortie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@Shortie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shortie)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2001, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xian-offensive/69491/6 "2001-06-20T17:13:35Z")
Thanks for the answers, and I’ve learnt something new, which is always good. (And everyone looking at the title thinks I’m suggesting we attack China. Ho hum.) I’m still somewhat confused by the guy in the other thread, who does know where it comes from, but still thinks it, or at least the version with the t in, is offensive. I suspect that he’s using it as an excuse to attack someone else, but never mind. His other point is that no-one should use it if they don’t know the origins. Ah well. ---
**Author:** ![Katisha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bcef8e/32.png) [@Katisha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Katisha)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2001, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xian-offensive/69491/7 "2001-06-20T17:50:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by cher3 \* > \*\*I’ve seen a number of threads about this in the past. In general someone complains about the “X” being disrespectful, especially in the context of “Xmas.” Pretty soon someone with more historical perspective points out that the use of “X” as a symbol for “Christ” has a long and respectable pedigree, going back to the very beginning. > \*\* And occasionally you’ll run into an obnoxious, hard-headed person who doesn’t believe you and _still_ thinks it’s offensive… :rolleyes: Anyway, it doesn’t bother me. (In fact, it’s wonderful if you have to take notes in a class where the word “Christian” comes up a lot… :D) ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2001, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xian-offensive/69491/8 "2001-06-20T20:03:14Z")
Not to put too fine of a point on it, but some folks will get offended by _anything._ ---
**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2001, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xian-offensive/69491/9 "2001-06-20T20:38:57Z")
I always thought it was pretty clever. The X echoes the cross, a fact I’m sure it hasn’t been lost on the generations who used chi as an abbreviation for Christ. But some Christians have told me they don’t like it, so _shrug_ far be it from me to not call a group what they want to be called. Then again, no group is homogenous. I call myself an evolutionist and a sci-fi fan, though some, er, anti-evolution-deniers and SF fans don’t think that’s appropriate. : ) ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2001, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xian-offensive/69491/10 "2001-06-20T21:02:00Z")
I started using “Xtian” after seeing C.S. Lewis do it. Since I saw that first, I see it, however illogically, as “correct.” The “t” helps distinguish it from an actual Chinese word, so that would recommend “Xtian” over “Xian.” Either way, it’s just an abbreviation in writing, naught more. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2001, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xian-offensive/69491/11 "2001-06-20T21:57:47Z")
I’ve most often seen it and used it as “Xtian.” I’ll agree with **Katisha** that the short form is a must when one is trying to take notes in a lecture–in fact, there were times when I abbreviated it even further when the lecturer sped up: “X’n.” If I hadn’t, I would have missed noting something. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2001, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xian-offensive/69491/12 "2001-06-20T23:12:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Podkayne \* > \*\*I call myself an evolutionist and a sci-fi fan, though some, er, anti-evolution-deniers and SF fans don’t think that’s appropriate. : ) \*\* **SCI-FI!?** Blashphemy! Heresy! And from someone who’s screen name is from one of the greatest writers of Science…er…Speculative Fict…er…Literature of the Imagination ever! You shall pay for this! For your pennance, you must read all of 10 books in that L.Ron Hubbard series. 😃 😉 Fenris ---
**Author:** ![Montfort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Montfort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Montfort)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2001, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xian-offensive/69491/13 "2001-06-21T00:05:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by rjung \* > \*\*Not to put too fine of a point on it, but some folks will get offended by _anything._ > \*\* I’m offended by your generalisation. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Man\_Who](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c2a13f/32.png) [@The\_Man\_Who](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Man_Who)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2001, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xian-offensive/69491/14 "2001-06-21T02:17:46Z")
I would be hard pressed to think of a Religious Studies major at the U of SF while I was there who DIDN’T abbreviate Christian as Xian. If someone was offended by it, well, they were offended, I suppose. But don’t get to worked up about it. -Myron ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2001, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xian-offensive/69491/15 "2001-06-21T10:09:01Z")
I’ve heard it said by people that find Xian and Xmas offensive that: > [@](#): > > People who do this have replaced ‘Christ’ with ‘X’ - the algebraic ‘unknown quantity’, an apt reflection of their relationship with God So for those guys, seeing people use the X is more than just offensive, it reinforces their worldview. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2001, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xian-offensive/69491/16 "2001-06-21T11:45:02Z")
And to think, I always just thought it was phonetic. You know, “cross-tian” or “cross-mas.” Like “cross-ing.” That’s why I would find it offensive, if I were going to. Not from an algebraic or religious perspective. Just from an enunciation perspective. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2001, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xian-offensive/69491/17 "2001-06-21T13:21:20Z")
I suppose if you wanted to be a smartarse, when someone comes out with the ‘unknown quantity’ line, you could comeback with something along the lines of “ah yes, but X marks the spot, doesn’t it?” It’s no less logical or relevant. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Corrado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a88e4f/32.png) [@John\_Corrado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Corrado)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2001, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xian-offensive/69491/18 "2001-06-21T13:28:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Montfort \* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by rjung \* > > Not to put too fine of a point on it, but some folks will get offended by _anything._ > > I’m offended by your generalisation. I’m offended by your ability to be offended. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2001, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xian-offensive/69491/19 "2001-06-21T13:55:07Z")
To some people, the “X” evidently signifies “cross”, because I have seen a lot of abbreviations like “Xword” (for “crossword”). It makes a sort of slanted sense, since an “X” is a cross, and since “cross” sounds kinda like “Christ”. I believe the original explanation to come through the “X” = “Chi” = “initial of ‘Christ’” route, but popular etymology has clearly taken root, and popular usage is going along another route. ---
**Author:** ![lesa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/34f0e0/32.png) [@lesa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lesa)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2001, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xian-offensive/69491/20 "2001-06-21T14:21:53Z")
Good point. Think of all those Deer X-ing and Child X-ing signs. I’m a Christian, and I use the Xmas abbreviation sometimes. I keep expecting someone to tell me it’s offensive. Then I can use my brother’s line, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to offend myself.” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xian-offensive/69491.md?page=2)