Why can't you say "merry Christmas" in America?

And plenty of people who live in the US have a different religious tradition, or no religious tradition at all. If you say “Merry Christmas” to someone who celebrates Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or nothing at all, you could make them feel marginalized: like their own beliefs aren't valued or respected by society.

Is it illegal to say "Merry Christmas" in America?

(It's the Law!) In case you were wondering, it's legal to wish people a “Merry Christmas.” Of course, no one really doubted that.

Why do Americans not say happy Christmas?

It takes so little to be inclusive, and costs you nothing. Wishing someone “Happy Holidays” as opposed to “Merry Christmas” means the person receiving your well-wishes feels acknowledged if they don't celebrate Christmas, and gets a dose of the feel-goods all at the same time.

Why do they say Happy Christmas in the UK instead of Merry Christmas?

Happy Christmas is a British English version and was adopted by the Royal Family in the past as their preferred greeting. It is also considered somewhat posh version of the greeting. Queen's Christmas message to this day still ends up with ``Happy Christmas''.

Do you say "merry Christmas" in the US?

One of the earliest known uses of Merry Christmas is in a December 22, 1534, record of a letter from Bishop John Fisher to Thomas Cromwell. To this day, Merry Christmas remains the most common way to express Christmas greetings in the United States.

American Dad - Happy Holidays, I Said Merry Christmas

How do you wish an American Christmas?

Do Americans say xmas?

In the United States, the fifth American edition of William Perry's Royal Standard English Dictionary, published in Boston in 1800, included in its list of "Explanations of Common Abbreviations, or Contraction of Words" the entry: "Xmas. Christmas." Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. used the term in a letter dated 1923.

Do Australians say "Happy Christmas"?

Over four in five Australians (85%) prefer the traditional greeting of “Merry Christmas” compared to more neutral salutations like “Season's Greetings” (8%) and “Happy Holidays” (7%).

Is it offensive to say "merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays"?

This isn't to say that using “Merry Christmas” is a bad thing to do—it isn't, especially when speaking with coreligionists or on Christmas Day itself. And though I doubt that most people are so sensitive as to take offense at a well-intended salutation, “Happy holidays” still has a great deal to recommend it.

Do you say "Merry Christmas" on the 24th or 25th?

Most Christians celebrate on December 25 in the Gregorian calendar, which has been adopted almost universally in the civil calendars used in countries throughout the world.

Why do Brits say happy days?

It just means that everything is good, or going to plan, or that nothing bad should happen. 'Sounds good', 'that's good', and 'that's OK' would all express the same meaning.

How to say Christmas without saying Christmas?

Why do Americans call Christmas the holiday?

It's not just Christmas, that's why. There's Thanksgiving, Advent, Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa, and the winter solstice, and then New Year's - all of that period is 'the holidays' because there are many of them in quick succession.

Why was Christmas banned in the USA and UK?

In 1647, the Puritan-led English Parliament banned the celebration of Christmas, replacing it with a day of fasting and considering it "a popish festival with no biblical justification", and a time of wasteful and immoral behaviour.

Can I be fired for saying "Merry Christmas"?

Deciding whether to say, 'Happy Holidays' or 'Merry Christmas' can be a personal choice. But for employers, government agencies, and schools, holiday activities or public displays must respect freedom of religion; otherwise, they could be held liable for discrimination.

When did people start saying happy holidays instead of Merry Christmas?

Like many catchphrases, happy holidays started with advertising campaigns. By the 1860s newspapers were using Happy Holidays and similar phrases in Christmas advertising. By the 1900s the phrase was everywhere from greeting cards to Christmas carols.

Why do Americans say "merry" instead of "Happy Christmas"?

So when did "Happy Christmas" become "Merry Christmas" in the U.S.? Historians believe it might boil down to a simple grammatical lesson. "Happy" is a word that describes an inner emotional condition, while "merry" is more of a behavior descriptor—something active and maybe even raucous.

What does "s" stand for in Christmas?

R - means our REDEMPTION plan, this Christ Child's birth did bring. I - is INTERCESSION for our sins from Christ Our King. S - says the brightest STAR that led the wise men on their way. T - stands for this TREASURED babe God sent to us, that day. M - proclaims the MEANING that this Christ Child's birth conceived.

What do British call Christmas?

In most of England the archaic word 'Yule' had been replaced by 'Christmas' by the 11th century, but in some places 'Yule' survived as the normal dialect term.

Can I say "merry Christmas" in America?

Traditional phraseology does tend to be more precise. Most people in Western countries do celebrate Christmas, so there is nothing wrong with wishing them a merry one. Unless you know they do not, in which case an alternative greeting is the more apposite one.

What is the difference between Merry Christmas and Happy Christmas?

Today, the term "merry" is synonymous with Christmas in the same way "happy" is associated with other holidays. However, these words have nuanced distinctions. While "happy" denotes a general state of joy, "merry" implies a lively and exuberant celebration.

What country has Christmas first?

Interestingly enough, the first inhabited place in the world to see the sun rise on Christmas Day is Kiritimati, also known as Christmas Island.

What do Americans call the day after Christmas day?

To many, Dec. 26 is simply the day after Christmas or the second night of Hanukkah. But to others, it's Boxing Day. The Dec.

Is Happy holidays American or British?

Happy Holidays – This is a very American term and really not used in the UK at all. You may hear it on movies and TV shows, but it is worth remembering it is a very American phrase. It still means happy Christmas but in America they say Holidays.