December 2022 What's in a Word? by Fran Joyce
For December, we’re featuring holiday words.
Most of them are familiar, but we found out a few new things about these words to share with you. Are poinsettias and mistletoe really poisonous? How toxic are they for your pets?
How much do you know about the three wise men?
If you have questions, we have a few answers about these holiday words.
Advent – This Latin word means coming. Advent is the name of the Christian season of expectant waiting and preparation beginning four Sundays before Christmas.
Boxing Day – The British holiday occurs the day after Christmas (December 26). Traditionally it is the day when servants and tradespeople are given a “Christmas box” from their employers.
Dreidel – A four-sided top used by children to play a gambling game during Hanukkah.
Epiphany – A Christian feast on January 6. It commemorates the Magi’s visit to baby Jesus.
Feliz Navidad – Happy Christmas in Spanish.
Frankincense – An incense symbolizing holiness.
Hanukkah – The eight-day “festival of lights” commemorating the rededication of the Jewish temple around 200 B.C. The holiday is celebrated by lighting candles, playing games, eating fried foods, and giving gifts.
Kinara – A candle holder for the seven candles lit during Kwanzaa.
Krampus – The half-goat, half-demon character of European folklore who punishes naughty children during Christmas.
Kwanzaa – A seven-day festival celebrating African American cultural heritage, created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966. Festivities include singing, candle lighting, poetry reading, storytelling, and feasting.
Lapland – The region in Finland rumored to be where Santa Claus lives.
Latkes – Pancakes served during Hanukkah that are made of grated potato and fried in oil.
Magi – The Zoroastrian priests of ancient Persia. According to Christmas tradition, three of these priests were the wise men who visited the baby Jesus.
Mele Kalikimaka – It’s the phonetic translation of “Merry Christmas” into the Hawaiian language.
Menorah – The nine-branched candelabrum used during Hanukkah.
Mistletoe – A parasitic plant with three white berries. People hang it from doorways as a Christmas decoration. People standing under the mistletoe are supposed to kiss. Warning mistletoe may be toxic for pets and small children. Though not usually toxic to adults, some people may experience nausea, vomiting, blurred vision seizures, and cardiac arrest because of toxins in the leaves and berries.
Myrrh – A fragrant oil symbolizing suffering and mortality.
Poinsettia – A Mexican shrub first used as a Christmas decoration by Franciscan friars in the 17th century. Poinsettias are toxic for pets, causing drooling and stomach upset but are rarely fatal. In some humans, poinsettias can cause skin, and eye irritation, or induce asthma and allergic rhinitis.
Wassail – A hot, spiced cider drink, traditionally served to poor carolers by their wealthy neighbors.
Winter Solstice – The first day of winter and the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. This year the Winter Solstice occurs on Wednesday, December 21.
Yule – A pagan festival celebrating rebirth and renewal held on the Winter Solstice.
Sources for this article: