Sage-Tips

Why do Brits say Happy Christmas instead of Merry Christmas?

For starters, it’s important to note that “Happy Christmas” hasn’t faded completely—it’s still widely used in England. 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.

Do Brits say Merry Christmas or Happy Christmas?

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.

What is the Christmas greeting in England?

Merry Christmas is a more traditional Christmas greeting but over the years ‘Happy Christmas’ is the more common method of wishing holiday merriment in the UK and Ireland.

When did the English start saying Happy Christmas?

The greeting dates back to at least 1534 in London, when it was written in a letter sent to Henry VIII’s chief minister Thomas Cromwell from bishop John Fisher. Scholars also note the phrase was used in the 16th century English carol “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”

Do the British celebrate Christmas?

In the UK (or Great Britain), families often celebrate Christmas together, so they can watch each other open their presents! Most villages, towns and cities are decorated with Christmas lights over Christmas. Often a famous person switches them on.

When did British people start saying Happy Christmas?

Historians and linguists can’t pinpoint for sure exactly why we tend to use Merry Christmas. The greeting dates back to at least 1534 in London, when it was written in a letter sent to Henry VIII’s chief minister Thomas Cromwell from bishop John Fisher.

When did England start saying Happy Christmas?

What is the difference between happy and merry Christmas?

Both happy and merry can mean “characterized by pleasure, joyous.” But happy tends toward quiet contentment and merry toward revelry. Making merry includes festive activities such as dancing, eating rich foods, and playing games with friends.

What is the difference between merry and happy Christmas?

Why do we say ‘Happy Christmas’ in England?

The Victorian Christmas went on to define many of today’s holiday customs. Of course, “Happy Christmas” hasn’t faded completely—it’s still widely used in England. 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.

Why do we say Merry Christmas instead of Happy Christmas?

In the 18 th and 19 th century when Christmas began to be more accepted in popular culture. Many people started greetings with “Merry” instead of “Happy”—some members of the British upper class thought that the word merry had vulgar connotations.

What was Christmas like in the Middle Ages?

In the Middle Ages, Christmas was firmly in the merry category. It was primarily a time of celebration, 12 days of feasting, singing, and other entertainments. The default term seems to have been “Merry Christmas,” as in the old carol “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”

Why do Americans celebrate Christmas in America but not in England?

Because the Americans think they are Christians and the British know they are. Christmas is Christ’s Mass. That is a day when we celebrate the birth of a man that all the Abrahamic religions recognise as either a great prophet or the son of God (although Christians didn’t make the difference until the 4th Century AD).