Why do we only say Merry for Christmas?

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. The royal family adopted “Happy Christmas” as their preferred greeting, and others took note.

Are we allowed to say Merry Christmas in the UK?

What’s striking to anyone who has spent time in the UK is that everyone says Merry (or Happy) Christmas.

Is it OK to say Merry Christmas?

In general, “Happy Holidays” is accepted as the broadest and most inclusive greeting at this time of year. If you know someone celebrates Christmas you can go with “Merry Christmas,” but ’tis the season for interacting with strangers (selling to them, buying from them, bumping into them on your way out of Target).

Is Merry Christmas English or American?

A: You can find “merry Christmas” and “happy Christmas” in both the US and the UK, though Christmas is more often “merry” in American English and “happy” in British English.

Which religion does not celebrate Christmas?

Jehovah’s Witness This religious organisation is one of the biggest group of Christmas-shunners. The interesting thing is that they were not always this way. Once upon a time, Jehovah’s Witnesses used to observe Christmas.

Why is it Merry Christmas and not Happy Christmas?

The reason is based on what the language signifies — ‘happy’ is an emotion, while ‘merry’ is a behaviour. Moreover, the bishop John Fisher in a letter to Henry VIII’s chief minister Thomas Cromwell wished “Merry Christmas”. The letter dates back to at least 1534 in London.

Why is Happy Holidays offensive?

The reason why people use “Happy Holidays” is because it marginalizes Christianity and allows non-Christians to celebrate in the festivities that occur in December.

Is it correct to say Happy Merry Christmas?

However, “Merry Christmas” is a traditional saying that has been around for centuries, to convey a more emotional and unrestrained celebration while “Happy Christmas” is conservative and reserved as per linguistic comparison.

Is Christmas a cultural holiday?

Christmas is celebrated on December 25 and is both a sacred religious holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. Christians celebrate Christmas Day as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, a spiritual leader whose teachings form the basis of their religion.

Why do we say “Merry Christmas” at Christmas?

So the word Merry shifted from a verb to an adjective which over time allowed it to be used in the phrase “Merry Christmas”. The phrase “Merry Christmas” was first used commercially in the first Christmas Card. The first Christmas card on record was sent in 1843 by Sir Henry Cole and used the phrase “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year”

Why do we say ‘Happy Christmas’ at Christmas?

The royal family adopted “Happy Christmas” as their preferred greeting, and others took note. (In fact, each year, Queen Elizabeth continues to wish her citizens a “Happy Christmas,” rather than a merry one.)

What is the meaning of “Merry Christmas Gentlemen”?

The original meaning of the song meant to emphasize the phrase “God Rest You Merry” but overtime the comma was moved and placed after the word “You”. This altered the original meaning and made the word Merry an adjective describing the “Gentlemen”.

What is the origin of the word Merry?

In the 18 th century, when merry was first developed, it was actually a euphemism for being intoxicated. People associated being happy with being polite and quietly content and merry with dancing, drinking, feasting and celebrating. It made sense why the term merry began to be associated with Christmas so often during the 18 th century.