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Christmas Vocabulary
Words and expressions related to the Christmas season
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Caribou | Large reindeer native to northern North America |
| Carolers | People who sing Christmas songs of praise and joy |
| Christmas Rose | A European evergreen plant with either white or purplish rose-like winter-blooming flowers; Poinsettia. |
| Candy cane | Usually a stripped stick of peppermint candy with the top curved to resemble a walking cane. |
| Crèche | A representation of the Nativity scene with Mary, Joseph and other characters (shephers, magi...) around the crib of Jesus in the stable at Bethelehem |
| Eggnog | Typical Christmas drink made with either milk or cream and with sugar and eggs, beaten together with some liquor (e.g. rum, brandy...) |
| Elf (sg.)/ elves (pl.) | Small fairies (sometimes thought to be rather mischievous). Some of them live in Santa's village and help him prepare all the toys that need to be delivered on Christmas Eve. |
| Fir | Any of the various evergreen trees that have single flattened needles and cones. They are usually chosen to be decorated with tinsel and lights for the Christmas season. |
| Christmas tree | An ornated tree with all sort of decorations including tinsel, garlands, lights, christmas balls, candy... It can be natural (usually fir) or artificial. The top is usually crowned by a star or an angel. |
| Frankincense | An aromatic gum resin obtained from African and Asian trees chiefly used as incense and in perfumes. It is said to have been one of the gifts of the magi to baby Jesus as a symbol of deity and prayer. |
| Gold | One of the gifts that the Three Magi gave Baby Jesus. It is a symbol of virtue and Kingship on Earth. |
| Myrrh | An aromatic, bitter gum resin used in making incense and perfumes. One of the three gifts that the Three Magi gave Baby Jesus. It represents Baby Jesus's humanity, the suffering He'll undergo and how He will sacrifice himself for all humanity. |
| Frosty the snowman | A popular song telling the story of a snowman 'who' is magically brought to life through a black top hat and 'who' enjoys frolicking and romping throughout town with the children who constructed him. |
| Father Christmas | In the English-speaking world, Father Christmas is associated with the development in the United States of Santa Claus, and most people now consider them to be different names for the same figure. |
| Santa Claus | He brings gifts to the homes of good children on Christmas Eve thanks to the help of his deer and the magical Elves who live with him in the north pole. |
| Saint Nicholas of Myra | Primary inspiration for Sinterklaas. This 4th century Greek Christian, bishop of Myra in the Byzantine Anatolia, is famous for his generous gifts to the poor, particularly for the dowries he gave to the three impoverished daughters of a pious Christian. |
| Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer | The last addition to Santa's Reindeer. Before his arrival Santa's reindeer were: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen (based on the 1823 poem 'A Visit from St Nicholas' or 'The Night before Christmas'). |
| Garland | A decorative wreath or cord used in festive occassions, such as Christmas, which can be hung round a person's neck or on objects, such as a Christmas tree. |
| Tinsel | A sparkling decorative material that mimics the effect of ice or icicles and that is used to decorate objects such as Christmas trees. |
| Gingerbread (man) | A sweet cookie (or soft cake) flavoured with ginger and honey (instead of just sugar). It is popular to make them in the shape of a stylized human, after the gingerbread man of the fairytale. They are typical of the Christmas season. |
| Manger | A feeder made of carved stone, wood or metal used to hold food for animals. It is associated with nativity scenes for it is where Mary, forced by necessity to stay in a stable, placed Baby Jesus. |
| Yule Log | A log is a cut tree trunk. It is typical to burn a very long one in the hearth as part of the Yule or Christmas celebrations to create a warm and cosy atmosphere. |
| Mince pie or Minced pie | A small British fruit-based mincemeat sweet pie traditionally served during the Christmas season and with its ingredients (fruit, meat, spices) traceable as far back as to the 13th century, when the crusaders brought the recipe from the Middle East. |
| Mistletoe | A shrub with leathery evergreen leaves and waxy white berries often used as a Christmas decoration. Tradition says that yung men can kiss the girls under it, plucking each time a berry from the bush. When the berries are all plucked, the privilege ceases. |
| Boxing day | December 26th (St Stephen): the first weekday after Christmas, still celebrated as a holiday in parts of the British Commonwealth. It used to be the day when Christmas gifts were given to service workers. |
| The Nutcracker | A fairy tale turned into a two-act ballet by Tchaikovsky. It premiered on Sunday 18th December 1892 and it is still typically represented during Christmas. |
| Partridge | Pheasant. Gift for the 12th day of Xmas (according to the carol) plus 2turtle doves, 3French hens, 4Colly Birds, 5Gold rings, 6geese-a-laying, 7sawns-a-swimming, 8maids-a-milking, 9ladies dancing, 10lords-a-leaping, 11pipers piping & 12drummers drumming. |
| Scrooge | A mean-spirited miserly person, after Dicken's main character in his play: "A Christmas Carol" (1843). |
| Santa's Workshop | Santa's toy factory at the North Pole where Santa's little helpers or elves manufacture toys for well-behaved children. |
| The Three Magi (or The Three Wise Men) | Melchior (Persian), Gaspar (Indian) and Balthazar (Arabian). They followed the Star of Bethlehem, guiding them to Baby Jesus, whom they gave gold, franchincense and myrrh. On the Eve of January 6th they bring presents to good children. |
| Sleigh bells | A bell attached to a sleigh or to the harness of a horse or reindeer that is pulling it. If you hear them on Christmas Eve, chances are they belong to Santa's sleigh. |
| Season's greetings | Also holiday greetings or Christmas greetings: the good wishes delivered during the Christmas season, traditionally from Christmas Day (Dec 25) till January 2nd or 8th. Now it usually refers to the 'shopping period' beginning after Thanksgiving. |
| Wassail | A hot,mulled punch,usually a cider beverage made with sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and topped with slices of toast. Drunk during Yuletide and part of wassailing, an ancient Southern English ritual to ensure a good apple harvest the following year. |
| Yule or Yuletide | It indicates the 12-day festival of Yule or Christmastime. Originally it referred to a religious festival observed by Germanic people and connected to Odin. |
| Wrapping paper | Tough paper used to cover gifts or presents, usually decorated with different motives. Santa and the Three Magi have quite a great stock to wrap all the presents for good children. |
| Stocking | A close-fitting, usually knitted covering for the foot and leg made from wool or other yarns. Children leave it by the Chimney so Santa can fill it with presents. This particular one is referred to as Stocking stuffer or filler and Christmas stocking. |
| Sugarplum | A small roll of sugary candy. The Sugarplum fairy is one of the characters in "The Nutcraker" and it refers to one of the most popular pieces of the ballet created by Tchaikovsky. |
| Wenceslaus or Wenceslas I | The Duke of Bohemia, subject of a Christmas carol due to his reputation for heroic goodness. He was elevated to Sainthood and posthumously declared king. |
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