Search for: Christmas
541 Etymology dictionary, p. ember-goose (n.).2
also embergoose, "loon," 1744, from Norwegian emmer-gaas, perhaps so called from its appearing on the coast in the ember-days before Christmas.
542 Etymology dictionary, p. figgy (adj.).2
… the Christmas carol is a dish of dried figs stewed in wine that dates back to the Middle Ages but was more often associated with Lent than Christmas.
543 Etymology dictionary, p. fraternize (v.).2
… the Christmas Truce). Used oddly in World War II armed forces jargon to mean "have sex with women from enemy countries" as a violation of military discipline …
544 Etymology dictionary, p. *ghrei-.3
It forms all or part of: chrism; Christ; christen; Christian; Christmas; cream; grime; grisly; Kriss Kringle .
545 Etymology dictionary, p. Good Friday (n.).2
… to Christmas and Shrove Tuesday. Good Twelfthe Dai (c. 1500) was Epiphany (the twelfth day after Christmas).
546 Etymology dictionary, p. Grinch (n.).2
… Stole Christmas." Kipling used grinching (1892) in reference to a harsh, grating noise; and Grinch had been used as the surname of severe characters in fiction …
547 Etymology dictionary, p. guiser (n.).2
"masquerader, mummer, one who goes from house to house, whimsically disguised, and making diversion with songs and antics, usually at Christmas," late 15c., agent noun from guise .
548 Etymology dictionary, p. Hobbit (n.).3
… on Christmas Eve cannot see spirits. Denham was an early folklorist who concentrated on Northumberland, Durham, Westmoreland, Cumberland, the Isle of Man …
549 Etymology dictionary, p. holly (n.).2
… at Christmas, mid-15c., earlier holin (mid-12c.), shortening of Old English holegn, holen "holly," from Proto-Germanic *hulin- (source also of Old Saxon, Old High German …
550 Etymology dictionary, p. Jiminy (interj.).3
… Jiminy Christmas, from 1873). It was in dialogue in printed stories by 1880s and taken into the Pinocchio fairy tale by Disney (1940) to answer to Italian Il Grillo …
551 Etymology dictionary, p. Kiribati.2
… Gilbert. Christmas Island, named for the date it was discovered by Europeans, is in the chain and now goes by Kiritimati, likewise a local pronunciation of …
552 Etymology dictionary, p. Krampus (n.).2
also Krampusz, 1872, name of a Germanic folkloric figure who assists St. Nicholas at Christmas-time by punishing the wicked with abduction and/or flogging.
553 Etymology dictionary, p. mince (n.).2
"minced meat," 1850; see mincemeat. Mince-pie "pie made with minced meat, fruit, etc.," long associated in England with Christmas festivities, is attested from c. 1600; as rhyming slang for eye (n.) it is attested by 1857.
554 Etymology dictionary, p. misrule (n.).2
… over Christmas games in a great house (late 15c.). Related: Misruly .
555 Etymology dictionary, p. mistletoe (n.).3
… at Christmas and kissing under it is mentioned by Washington Irving. The alteration of the ending according to Century Dictionary is perhaps from a mistaking …
556 Etymology dictionary, p. mummer (n.).2
… at Christmas performing a kind of play, the subject being generally St. George and the Dragon, with sundry whimsical adjuncts" [Century Dictionary].
557 Etymology dictionary, p. Natalie.2
… Latin, "Christmas Day," from natalis "pertaining to birth or origin," from natus, past participle of nasci "to be born" (Old Latin gnasci ), from PIE root *gene- "give birth …
558 Etymology dictionary, p. nativity (n.).2
… Christ, Christmas," from Old French nativité "birth, origin, descent; birthday; Christmas" (12c.), from Late Latin nativitatem (nominative nativitas ) "birth," from …
559 Etymology dictionary, p. New Year's Eve.2
… banned Christmas, and continued so after England reverted to Christmas, hence the Scottish flavor ("Auld Lang Syne," etc.). New Year's gathering in public places …
560 Etymology dictionary, p. Nicholas.2
… with Christmas (died 326 C.E.) was a bishop of Myra in Lycia, patron of scholars, especially schoolboys. A popular given name in England in the Middle Ages (the …