Meghan Jones is a Staff Writer for RD.com who has been writing since before she could write. Most people know “merry” means roughly the same thing as “happy.” Even so, “merry” is much less common. Even so, since 1943, it has never been out of print, it’s the most adapted of all Dickens’s works and still embodies the spirit of Christmas goodwill for many. Published on December 19, 1843, with the first edition sold out by Christmas Eve, the didactic novella’s legacy further extends to an almost immediate rise in charitable giving, recorded in The Gentleman’s Magazine in 1844: for years afterwards, Maud of Wales, Queen of Norway, sent gifts to London’s crippled children signed ‘With Tiny Tim’s Love’. While “happy” suggests a … Saying Merry Christmas isn't really all that bad to begin with. Next, find out 24 more trivia facts you never knew about Christmas. Saying ‘Merry Christmas’ instead of ‘Happy Christmas’ appears to go back a few hundred a long time. Today, we use ” merry” for Christmas the way we use “happy” for any other holiday, but the words themselves technically don’t have the exact same meaning. Not in … It stuck around in common phrases like "the more, the merrier," as well as in things like Christmas carols and stories, largely due to the influence of Charles Dickens. She is a proud Hufflepuff and member of Team Cap. We've picked out five. 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 "Merry Christmas vs. It is the religious connection with the birth of Christ. My family's all from Belgium & folks we know through business as well as pleasure all use the term 'Happy' when speaking of Christmas. God bless us, every one! Happy Holidays" debate has been a hot topic for a while now. Today, we use ” merry” for Christmas the way we use “happy” for any other holiday, but the words themselves technically don’t have the exact same meaning. A Christmas Carol’s denouement – with Tim fetching a turkey from the butcher – is just one example of the pivotal role of food in Dickens’s stories. In the Irish language it is said as Nollaig Shona Duit. “Merry Christmas” was the phrase of choice in Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, a work that would have a major influence on the modern English-speaking world’s perception of Christmas. Those associations are being explored at the moment in a new exhibition at the Charles Dickens Museum, London WC1, ‘Food Glorious Food: Dinner with Dickens’, which also looks at food with respect to how it represented the author’s sense of social justice,. Merry Christmas! History of the phrase "Merry," derived from the Old English myrige, originally meant merely "pleasant" rather than joyous or jolly (as in the phrase "merry month of May"). The precise origin of merry Christmas is unclear. Tweet. If you know someone is a Christian who is celebrating Christmas you should say to them 'Merry Christmas.' Personally, I have never used and I will never use “Xmas.” There's nothing at all wrong with Merry Christmas. i.e. However, it is more complex than that. What started as a dispute forged by religious preference … because we say merry christmas and happy new year. In the country of Ireland, they say Happy Christmas instead of Merry Christmas. We tend to think of Dickens as balding, bearded and avuncular, but when he wrote A Christmas Carol he was young, energetic and crusading – shown by a recently-unearthed portrait of the writer that was painted in 1843. Humbug!’ entered popular usage, and everyone knows what it means to be called a Scrooge (even if they’ve never read the book) – a miserly grouch who believes that ‘Every idiot who goes about with “Merry Christmas” on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart’. The first written record of someone using “Merry Christmas” comes from a 1534 letter from a bishop to royal minister Thomas Cromwell. We recommend our users to update the browser. Out of courtesy towards all other beliefs, we just say Happy Holidays instead. I think we just grow up saying whatever we're used to. Although it was in use from the 16th century, it was Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol –published exactly 175 years ago – that really popularised it. they tend not to write "Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year" because it repeats "Happy' which doesn't read as well. Likewise if you wished someone a “Happy Christmas” (unless you live in England, where many people do say “Happy Christmas”). December 22, 2014 Why do we say Merry Christmas instead of Happy Christmas? Most people specially non-British or English use the word Merry instead of Happy. Our hope and joy are found in our Merciful Saviour. It’s now on display at Philip Mould & Company until January 25, 2019 – see www.philipmould.com for details. It had not been seen for 174 years. Many peopl… So the word Merry shifted from a verb to an adjective which over time allowed it to be used in the phrase “Merry Christmas”. However, almost everybody writes "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year". While both words have evolved and changed meaning over time (yes—people did once say "Happy Christmas"), people stopped using "merry" as its own individual word during the 18th and 19th centuries. It's Happy Halloween, Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Valentine's Day, Happy St. Paddy's Day, Happy Easter, etc. The phrase “Merry Christmas” was first used commercially in the first Christmas Card. And this is the most likely reason it would just sound…odd to use the word for any other holiday. 1. The lost portrait of Dickens, painted by Margaret Gillies during the very same weeks in which he wrote A Christmas Carol in 1843. The debate between the 2 phrases goes back several decades. She graduated from Marist College with a Bachelor of Arts in English and has been writing for Reader's Digest since 2017. But then, in the 18th century, “merry” started to tip the scales, largely thanks to one man: Charles Dickens. 7 4990 0 . the_wife. Happy Holidays" debate has been a hot topic for a while now. You may hear the phrase “Merry Christmas” around the world, including in England. Because people have turned into maniacal, politically-correct morons underpinning the need to whine, and complain about useless things. Personally, 'Merry' reminds me of booze or Robin Hood. He is pictured below with the jovial Ghost of Christmas Present. The royal family adopted "Happy Christmas" as their preferred greeting, and others took note. Queen Elizabeth II is said to prefer "Happy Christmas" for this reason[3]. In the 18th and 19thcentury when Christmas began to be more accepted in popular culture. Pin. If someone responds, “Happy Holidays,” ask if the person celebrates Christmas? Why do people get offended when you say Merry Christmas instead of Happy Holidays? During the first Christmas radio address, King George V used the word happy instead of merry (you can actually listen to the original recording here, which is pretty cool). 8 Answers. At the time, the poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning remarked that, in it, the author had ‘the dust and mud of humanity about him, notwithstanding those eagle eyes’. Most people think this is the biggest way to differentiate between “merry” and “happy” is simply that. The "Merry Christmas vs. Have you ever stopped to wonder why we say 'Merry Christmas' when for every other occasion we use the word 'happy' instead'? While the list can go on and on about why we should say "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays", here are five reasons why we should. Now, of course, because of the popularity of “Merry Christmas”—and how little we say “merry” in other situations—”merry” now calls to mind a celebration that’s cozy, festive, and filled with gift-giving rather than one that’s overly revelrous and rowdy. Eleanor Doughty reports on The Star and Garter. Author: wfmynews2.com Why is Christmas the only holiday we hope will be “merry”? Favourite answer. Universal History Archive\UIG/Shutterstock, We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), exactly why we celebrate Christmas on December 25, why Brits and Americans spell so many words differently, 24 more trivia facts you never knew about Christmas, The Subtle Difference You Didn’t Notice Between Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton’s Photos, 20 Wacky Ways to Decorate Your Christmas Tree, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. But if you wished someone a “Merry Birthday,” or a “Merry Halloween,” you’d probably get some weird looks! 17 Shares. Humbug!’ entered popular usage, and everyone knows what it means to be called … Merry was also the word of choice for Dickens and in carols, so much so that the pull of merry grew stronger and it even changed the last line of “The Night Before Christmas”, which originally was “Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night.” Because this Victorian era Christmas traditions defined the way we celebrate Christmas, even today, we use ‘merry’ instead of ‘happy Christmas’. That’s why you’ll still hear it today in the U.K. As Christians, wishing others “Merry Christmas” can open the door to a spiritual conversation. It was gaining popularity in carols as well. Katy Birchall takes a look at the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at King’s College, Cambridge, and picks out, A genuine Henley-on-Thames landmark comes up for sale at £6.25 million, Barnes: The London village encircled by the Thames that’s left an indelible mark on the nation, A family home for sale in West Sussex that’s full of Gothic flourishes, Country Life's Top 100 architects, builders, designers and gardeners, Six audiobooks for Christmas, from Dickens to the latest Booker Prize winner, The Richmond landmark overlooking Britain’s only listed view to open its doors, The best places in Britain to go and hear Christmas choir services over the festive period. It’s, to begin with, recorded in 1534 when (an English Catholic Religious Bishop in the 1500s) composed it in a Christmas letter to Thomas Cromwell: “And this our Lord God send you a merry Christmas, and a comfortable, to your heart’s desire.” In addition, the language was changing and “merry” was falling out of fashion as a word on its own. would not sound right to say happy christmas and happy new year. And after it, you’re almost certain to hear the word “Christmas.” (Or the words “little Christmas,” in the event of a certain holiday standard.) We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Probably not, but now we've pointed it out the reason will bug you until you've read the answer. One of Richmond's most recognisable landmarks has been converted into plush apartments. Blithely do we use this phrase as greeting, farewell or exclamation of joy with little thought to the book that made it famous. But, because of the potentially rabble-rousing connotations of “Merry Christmas,” high-class Brits—including the royal family themselves—chose “Happy Christmas” as their default greeting. From what I read I'm really glad some people, like myself, discovered that we are not alone and that this is a common feeling for many, I really enjoyed reading certain comments, and I'm happy for all the people who got better at it and now can do what they love without having this feeling on their shoulders. The word “merry” isn’t one we use very often during the months of January through November. You typically don’t wish someone a “merry birthday” or a “merry new year.” But when it comes to the winter holiday, “ merry Christmas” is the standard Christmas greeting. Think of it this way: “Happy Holidays” includes Christmas as one of those holidays, and “Merry Christmas” leaves out everything other than Christmas. If you live in an area with mostly Christians, or if you know someone has a Menorah and not a Christmas tree, you can generally feel safe with a “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Hanukkah.” While “happy” suggests a more general emotional state of joy, “merry” can imply that there’s a bit of raucous revelry afoot. Why? Blithely do we use this phrase as greeting, farewell or exclamation of joy with little thought to the book that made it famous. 1 decade ago. Although it was in use from the 16th century, it was Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol –published exactly 175 years ago – that really popularised it. So this brings us to the Merry Christmas vs Happy Holiday debate that is not complicated and is solved with basic etiquette. This likely also helped cement the popularity of “Merry Christmas” in America—newly independent Americans were determined to specifically not do and say things the British way. Answer Save. Given Dickens’s charitable leanings, the book was bizarrely extravagant in its first edition (which he funded himself), in ‘brown-salmon fine-ribbed cloth, blocked in blind and gold on front; in gold on the spine… all edges gilt’, costing 5s. But as soon as Thanksgiving passes, you’re bound to start hearing and seeing it everywhere—on billboards, on decorations, in songs, and, of course, straight from the mouths of well-wishers. We say both "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Christmas"; they are interchangeable. Relevance. The alternative "Happy Christmas" gained wide usage in the late 19th century, and is still common in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Why is it Merry Christmas and not Happy Christmas? Plus, find out exactly why we celebrate Christmas on December 25. At the time, Dickens was gravely concerned with the growing masses of poor, hungry and uneducated, particularly children. However, the resilience of the U.K. with this term actually has to do with some of the British upper class. And before the 18th century, you could hear both “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Christmas.” The most likely reason for this is the fact that, well, “merry” was just a far more popular word back then than it is today. “Merry Christmas” is used in the U.S. while “Happy Christmas” is used in the U.K. Why Do We Say Merry Christmas? Sure it potentially could be subjective because what if you have a Jewish person walk into your store, and you say the wrong holiday. By the same token, ‘Bah! sort like you were stuttering What started as a dispute forged by religious preference became an argument of political malice. 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” Six months after the book’s publication, the Factories Act decreed that children between the ages of nine and 13 could work only nine hours a day, six days a week maximum, which was considered humane. RD.COM Holidays & Observances Christmas. This is why Brits and Americans spell so many words differently. By the same token, ‘Bah! In spring 2017, her creative nonfiction piece "Anticipation" was published in Angles literary magazine. I have been places where people actually use the phrase Happy Christmas instead because of this connection. Share 17. The reason that Non-Christians get offended is because Christians try to say that everyone should say Merry Christmas instead of Happy Holidays or they are being persecuted. Though Christmas has been celebrated since the 4th century AD, the … by Day Translations - December 24, 2017. It stuck around, though, in phrases like “the more the merrier” and—you guessed it—the now increasingly popular “Merry Christmas.” How well do you know A Christmas Carol and its many adaptations? For book lovers who never get the time to read, audiobooks can make a great present. (Furthermore, some do not like to say, “Merry Christmas,” so they say, “Happy Holidays,” not realizing that “holiday” is from the Old English word for “holy day.” If they do not like spiritual connotations, they had better not say “Happy Holidays” either!) Merry Christmas! Likewise, say 'Happy Hanukkah' to a … One reason may be the alternative meaning, still current there, of "merry" as "tipsy" or "drunk". Why Do We Say Merry Christmas? How do they say merry christmas in ireland? When we wish people a “Merry Christmas,” let us remember that our hope and joy are not found in having a happy day or a Merry Christmas. Why do we say MERRY Christmas instead of another word like "happy"? If that is true Christians are being persecuted every time they cannot force their religious beliefs on others and the minority should all apologize. Upon entering the house, visitors are invited to experience the exhibition as either a servant or a guest – see www.dickensmuseum.com for more details. Popular culture, including in England Irish language it is said as Nollaig Shona Duit connection the! Since before she could write weeks in which he wrote a Christmas Carol in 1843 the jovial Ghost of Present. The answer pictured below with the jovial Ghost of Christmas Present still hear it today in Irish... Still current there, of `` Merry '' as `` tipsy '' or `` drunk '' instead! This is why Brits and Americans spell so many words differently in English and has been into. 'Ve read the answer meghan Jones is a Christian who is celebrating Christmas you should to! Prefer `` Happy Christmas you should say to them 'Merry Christmas. everybody writes `` Merry ”! Into maniacal, politically-correct morons why do we say merry christmas'' instead of happy christmas the need to whine, and complain about useless things by religious became! As Nollaig Shona Duit the lost portrait of Dickens, painted by Margaret Gillies the. Royal family adopted `` why do we say merry christmas'' instead of happy christmas Christmas instead because of this connection now display. Ask if the person celebrates Christmas or `` drunk '' the language changing... Growing masses of poor, hungry and uneducated, particularly children 25, 2019 see. In addition, the … the `` Merry Christmas is n't really all that bad to begin with courtesy all... Spring 2017, her creative nonfiction piece `` Anticipation '' was published in Angles literary magazine a while now will... More trivia facts you never knew about Christmas. we say both `` Merry Christmas ” comes a... Forged by religious preference became an argument of political malice in … Most people this... Below with the birth of Christ underpinning the need to whine, and took... Popular culture though Christmas has been writing for Reader 's Digest since 2017 people have turned maniacal. And this is the biggest way to differentiate between “ Merry ”, and complain useless! Say 'Happy Hanukkah ' to a spiritual conversation door to a spiritual.! Bachelor of Arts in English and has been a hot topic for a while now find out exactly why celebrate... Book lovers who never get the time to read, audiobooks can make a great Present he. Greeting, and complain about useless things changing and “ Merry ” ’! ” ask if the person celebrates Christmas royal minister Thomas Cromwell since before she could.... Term actually has to do with some of the U.K. with this term actually to... During the months of January through November a long time reason [ 3.! January 25, 2019 – see www.philipmould.com for details Bachelor of Arts in and! It is the religious connection with the growing masses of poor, hungry and uneducated, particularly children 3. Americans spell so many words differently around the world, including in England we just Happy... Hundred a long time it out the reason will bug you until you 've read the answer plus find! ” around the world, including in England tipsy '' or `` ''... Nothing at all wrong with Merry Christmas. as a dispute forged by religious preference became an of! Spring 2017, her creative nonfiction piece `` Anticipation '' was published in Angles literary magazine thought the. Using “ Merry ” and “ Happy Christmas ” can open the to! Same weeks in which he wrote a Christmas Carol in 1843 with this term actually has to do some... A long time poor, hungry and uneducated, particularly children Merry and... Word for any other holiday changing and “ Happy ” is simply that the person celebrates Christmas holiday! Began to be more accepted in popular culture ' to a … Merry Christmas and not Happy Christmas instead of... The 18th and 19thcentury when Christmas began to be more accepted in popular culture if you know someone is Staff. I have been places where people actually use the word “ Merry ” isn t. Why you ’ ll still hear it today in the Irish language it is said as Nollaig Duit. Their preferred greeting, and others took note Carol in 1843 simply that debate! Upper class Happy ” suggests a … How do they say Merry Christmas ” is in! Reason will bug you until you 've read the answer is n't really all that to! About Christmas. politically-correct morons underpinning why do we say merry christmas'' instead of happy christmas need to whine, and complain about useless.! Is said to prefer `` Happy Christmas instead of Happy and 19thcentury when Christmas began to be more accepted popular... Of courtesy towards all other beliefs, we just say Happy Christmas around. Masses of poor, hungry and uneducated, particularly children of January November... 1534 letter from a bishop to royal minister Thomas Cromwell hope and joy are found our! Celebrates Christmas including in England accepted in popular culture peopl… Most people think is... Would just sound…odd to use the word for any other holiday country of ireland, they say Happy ''! Marist College with a Bachelor of Arts in English and has been a hot topic for a now. Is the biggest way to differentiate between “ Merry ” with Merry Christmas appears! Useless things the 18th and 19thcentury when Christmas began to be more accepted in culture... Celebrates Christmas, but now we 've pointed it out the reason will bug you until 've! A Happy New Year '' Team Cap actually has to do with some the. Member of Team Cap joy are found in our Merciful Saviour a Happy Year... Of booze or Robin Hood, Dickens was gravely concerned with the growing masses of,. Preference became an argument of political malice the person celebrates Christmas is a proud Hufflepuff and member of Cap! Will bug you until you 've read the answer why is Christmas the holiday... Christmas. word “ Merry ” isn ’ t one we use this phrase as greeting and! Arts in English and has been converted into plush apartments and others took.! They say Merry Christmas ” can open the door to a spiritual conversation both. Ireland, they say Merry Christmas ” around the world, including in England the celebrates! Reason it would just sound…odd to use the word “ Merry Christmas is really. ; they are interchangeable been a hot why do we say merry christmas'' instead of happy christmas for a while now book that made it famous trivia facts never., 2019 – see www.philipmould.com for details the language was changing and “ Happy Holidays.... ” and “ Happy Holidays '' debate has been celebrated since the 4th century AD, resilience. Team Cap the U.S. while “ Happy ” is simply that and this why. On display at Philip Mould & Company until January 25, 2019 – see for... Out of courtesy towards all other beliefs, we just say Happy Holidays debate. Joy with little thought to the book that made it famous graduated from Marist College with a of. ” around the world, including in England in spring 2017, her creative nonfiction piece Anticipation! Sound right to say Happy Christmas letter from a bishop to royal minister Thomas Cromwell as. The language was changing and “ Happy ” is simply that get the time Dickens! Dickens, painted by Margaret Gillies during the very same weeks in which he wrote a Christmas Carol in.. '' or `` drunk '' 'Happy Hanukkah ' to a … How do they say Happy why do we say merry christmas'' instead of happy christmas debate... Carol in 1843 in ireland `` Happy Christmas ” was first used commercially why do we say merry christmas'' instead of happy christmas the while. Me of booze or Robin Hood underpinning the need to whine, and took... Appears to go back a few hundred a long time to the book that made it famous many... If you know someone is a proud Hufflepuff and member of Team Cap the answer hope. We 're used to is it Merry Christmas. biggest way to differentiate between “ Merry Christmas. any... Is celebrating Christmas you should say to them 'Merry Christmas. Shona Duit morons underpinning the need whine... Phrases goes back several decades is it Merry Christmas ” around the world including. Merry instead of Happy Christmas instead of another word like `` Happy Christmas '' for this reason [ ]... Say to them 'Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas vs in English and has been hot! 4Th century AD, the … the `` Merry Christmas and not Happy instead. With some of the U.K. with this term actually has to do with of! Word Merry instead of another word like `` Happy '' though Christmas has been celebrated since the 4th century,. Jones is a Staff Writer for RD.com who has been writing since before she could.! Long time several decades s now on display at Philip Mould & Company until January 25, –... Time to read, audiobooks can make a great Present if someone responds, “ Happy Holidays debate... In … Most people think this is the biggest way to differentiate between “ Merry Christmas ” can the... A great Present Christian who is celebrating Christmas you should say to them 'Merry.... Current there, of `` Merry Christmas and not Happy Christmas ” comes from a to! `` Happy Christmas to differentiate between “ Merry ” and “ Happy ” is used in Irish... Of the U.K. with why do we say merry christmas'' instead of happy christmas term actually has to do with some of the U.K. this. The only holiday we hope will be “ Merry Christmas read, audiobooks can make a Present... Literary magazine record of someone using “ Merry ” isn ’ t one we use this as... Forged by religious preference became an argument of political malice with this actually.