What Is The Difference Between Merry Christmas And Happy Christmas
However it is more complex than that.
What is the difference between merry christmas and happy christmas. On our side of the atlantic the proper holiday greeting is merry christmas. While happy christmas is used in the u k. These two simple words got me wondering if there are any other differences in winter holiday talk in the us and the uk. Merry christmas is a greeting that is used when specifying christmas so if one wishes someone merry christmas they are only wishing them to have a happy christmas.
The word merry stems from the old english myrge which means pleasing agreeable pleasant or sweet and christmas stems from the late old english cristes mæsse that means mass of christ. You may hear the phrase merry christmas around the world including in england. These two simple words got me wondering if there are any other differences in winter holiday talk in the us and the uk. The choice between sticking with the traditional salutation or.
Merry christmas refers specifically to the christmas holiday celebrated december 25th. The terms merry christmas and happy holidays have become a very controversial subject and are under constant debate. It encompasses all holidays religious in nature or not that are celebrated during the winter holiday season. For starters it s important to note that happy christmas hasn t faded completely it s still widely used in england.
It is a traditionally christian sentiment. Does anyone say happy christmas. Happy holidays is more general. However happy holidays include all festivals whether they are.
Most people think this is the biggest way to differentiate between merry and happy is simply that. Merry christmas began as a saying in the 1500s it was recorded in a letter as a wish that god would send the recipient a mery christmas. It was solidified as a capitalized greeting by charles dickens in his great work a christmas carol. Merry christmas happy holidays seasons greetings happy christmas the season of goodwill and peace carries loaded greetings.
The phrases merry christmas and happy holidays do have some differences. See what he says after the jump along with what i say. Queen elizabeth ii for whatever reason did not use dickens phrase. This is believed to be because happy took on a higher class connotation than merry which was associated with the rowdiness of the lower classes.