The Associated Press has compiled a list of spellings and definitions of terms associated with religious and cultural events around the turn of the year. Some are in the AP Stylebook; others are common usage in holiday stories transmitted by AP.
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Advent
Period including the four Sundays preceding Christmas.
“Auld Lang Syne”
Sung to greet the New Year, poem by Robert Burns set to Scottish music.
“Bah! Humbug!”
Ebenezer Scrooge’s denunciation of holiday sentiment in “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens.
Black Friday
The last Friday in November when U.S. retail sales launch the start of Christmas shopping.
BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) _
Dateline for AP stories from the biblical site of Jesus’ birth.
Bible
Capitalize in reference to the Scriptures; lowercase biblical in all uses.
Boxing Day
Post-Christmas holiday Dec. 26 In British Commonwealth countries.
Champagne
Capitalize sparkling wine from that French region uncorked to celebrate New Year’s.
Christmas, Christmas Day
Dec. 25 Christian feast marking the birth of Jesus. Christmas Eve is also capitalized.
Christmastime
One word.
Christmas tree
Lowercase tree and other seasonal terms with Christmas: card, wreath, carol, etc. Exception: National Christmas Tree in Washington.
dreidel
Toy spinning top used in games played during Hanukkah.
Feliz Navidad
Traditional Spanish greeting for Christmas.
hallelujah
Lowercase the biblical praise to God, but capitalize in composition titles: Handel’s “Hallelujah” chorus.
Hanukkah
Eight-day Jewish Festival of Lights starting Dec. 16 this year.
Grinch
Spoilsport who steals holiday fun, based on the title character in “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” by Dr. Seuss.
Jesus, Jesus Christ
Pronouns referring to him are lowercase, as is savior.
happy holidays, merry Christmas, season’s greetings
Such phrases are generally spelled lowercase, though Christmas is always capitalized.
Holy Land
Capitalize the biblical region.
Kriss Kringle
Not Kris. Derived from the German word, Christkindl, or baby Jesus.
Kwanzaa
African-American and Pan-African celebration of family, community and culture, Dec. 26-Jan. 1.
Magi
The wise men who brought gifts to the infant Jesus at Epiphany, celebrated Jan. 6.
menorah
The seven-branch candelabrum from the ancient temple in Jerusalem. Also the popular term for the nine-branch candelabrum, or hanukkiah, used on the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.
Messiah
Capitalized in references to Jesus or to the promised deliverer in Judaism.
mistletoe
A yellowish evergreen hung as a Christmas decoration; by tradition, people kiss when standing under a sprig.
Nativity scene
Only the first word is capitalized.
New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day
Capitalized for Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.
noel
A Christmas carol, borrowed from the French word for Christmas, which is capitalized.
North Pole
Mythical home of Santa Claus.
poinsettia
Decorative plant for Christmas; note the “ia.”
regifting
Passing along an unwanted Christmas present to someone else.
Santa Claus
Brings toys to children in a sleigh pulled by reindeer on Christmas Eve.
“A Visit From St. Nicholas”
Beloved poem by Clement Clarke Moore that begins, “’Twas the night before Christmas…”
“The Twelve Days of Christmas”
Spell the numeral in the Christmas carol.
Twelfth Night
The evening before the Twelfth Day, Jan. 6, that traditionally ends the Christmas season.
“White Christmas”
Irving Berlin’s sentimental ballad immortalized by crooner Bing Crosby.
Yule, Yuletide
Old English for Christmas season.
Xmas
Don’t use this abbreviation for Christmas.
Contact
Paul Colford
Director of Media Relations
The Associated Press
212-621-1895
pcolford@ap.org
Erin Madigan White
Senior Media Relations Manager
The Associated Press
212-621-7005
emadigan@ap.org
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