In several places now, the word "Noel" (without the diacritical over the e, which I can't produce with WindowsXP) appears as an exclamation having nothing to do with Christmas. The etymology doesn't give me any clue.

Noel - c.1390, from M.E. nowel, from O.Fr. noel "the Christmas season," var. of nael, from L. natalis "natal," in reference to the birthday of Christ, from natus, pp. of nasci "be born."

Comments, please.