A question for English speakers (and anyone else)

[Big RR]

At this time of year, especially when I worked for a British company, I have always been struck by the observations that Americans inevitable wish everyone a Merry Christmas, while the Brits say Happy Christmas. There are some deviations, such as in Cement Moore's The Night before Christmas, which is American and discusses Santa, not Father Christmas, but I have often wondered why the difference.

My thought has been that the Brits use (or used to use) Merry as a noun (As Bob Cratchitt did when he told Scrooge "I was making quite merry last night), so they use happy as the adjective. Also, merry usually connotes a sort of bacchanalia of a good time, while happy can be more sober and suited to a religious holiday (but then Americans say happy birthday and happy new years, even though those celebrations may be as alcoholic any Christmas one).

So at this joyous/merry/happy time of year, any thoughts?

[MajGenl.Meade]

Hmm, at a guess.... when I grew up in the UK in the 50s (1950s), it was normal to say "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year" (as in the song). I think perhaps it wasn't usual to see the same people between those dates (other than family) - especially for factory shut-down folks. Also, tradespeople might not be seen other than on Boxing Day, so one had to hit them with both.

We would never say "Merry New Year" because it er... just doesn't work. Merry is more temporary - Happy is long term. Or rather, they seem that way when uttered as wishes. Also, I find Happy Christmas to be as awkward as Merry New Year. Could be habit.

But not having lived in the UK for so long, maybe Happy Christmas is the new normal?

[Big RR]

that was the ordinary holiday wish I heard when I worked with Brits in the late 90s/early 2000s. I also recall Lennon's "So this is Christmas" using "Happy Christmas", although the chorus does say merry Christmas ("And so Happy Christmas)"; the Pogues' "Fairytale of New York" also uses happy Christmas (e.g., "Happy Christmas my ass, I pray god it's our last" ), Scrooge says "Those who go about with Happy Christmas on their lips ..."; I'm sure there are other references. I had always thought it was the common greeting, at least in England, but maybe it's not.

Thanks.

[rubato]

I've heard both Happy Christmas and Merry Christmas but the workplace is very polyglot. I had a Tamil colleague who pronounced circuit like "sir-queue-it"; which I loved. Sadly, I made the mistake of sharing my appreciation with another Indian colleague who clued her in and it was over.


yrs,
rubato

[MajGenl.Meade]

Big RR - the evidence suggests Happy Christmas, despite my (no doubt faulty) recall of the good old days. RB (who almost counts as British) uses "Happy" in the well-wishing thread and my Auntie Monica in England just sent me an email to wish me a "Happy" Christmas. So the votes are in and I'm definitely off the island.

Now, where's that amazingpalm?

[Lord Jim]

Big RR - the evidence suggests Happy Christmas, despite my (no doubt faulty) recall of the good old days, etc etc etc)

Well, the evidence, Gen'l, not to put to fine a point on it, really suggests who gives a fuck...

[MajGenl.Meade]

Christmas crackers all turned out to be damp squibs, did they Jim?

[Big RR]

Well jim, I would think one would need no evidence to that I give a fuck; after all I started the thread because a I thought it might be a nice diversion and I was interested in the result. So there is one vote for giving a fuck,

I encourage others to weigh in on this important subject as well; I can't add a survey to this thread, so post a response if you want to answer:

Do you give a fuck?

[oldr_n_wsr]

Happy Christmas, Merry Christmas, I have said both.
And I give a f%^k as I like Christmas and the season and wish everyone could have a Happy, Merry Christmas.

[Joe Guy]

Merry Christmas is something homosexuals have while they are donning their gay apparel.

Happy Christmas is what the rest of us have when we're finished boxing.

[Econoline]

Evidence?