Why British say Happy 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 British say Merry Christmas or Happy Christmas?

The word “Merry Christmas” is usually used in the United States while “Happy Christmas” is more prevalent in the United Kingdom since both the expressions have altered and developed with time.

When did Brits start saying Happy Christmas?

When King George V gave the first royal Christmas message in 1932, he wished his subjects a “Happy Christmas,” and Queen Elizabeth II continues to do so every year. Perhaps as a result of the royal preference, happy overtook merry in Britain during the 1930s, although merry is making a comeback there today.

Is it a British thing to say 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.

Why do Americans say Merry Christmas instead of Happy Christmas?

No one knows for sure why Merry Christmas became the more popular greeting in the United States. Some Christians believe it is a more fitting greeting, given the unrestrained and emotional response followers should have to a celebration of the birth of their Savior, Jesus Christ.

Learn the Difference Between The English Phrases HAPPY CHRISTMAS and MERRY CHRISTMAS

What countries say Happy Christmas?

Do British people say happy holidays?

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.

Who says happy Christmas instead of Merry Christmas?

The word “Merry Christmas” is usually used in the United States while “Happy Christmas” is more prevalent in the United Kingdom since both the expressions have altered and developed with time.

What do Brits call Christmas?

The word Christmas is no exception; some Brits will informally call it Chrimbo. In Britain (and several Commonwealth countries), Boxing Day is the day following Christmas which serves nowadays as a bank/public holiday.

How do British greet Merry Christmas?

While you might still see Merry Christmas in the U.K., Happy Christmas is the more popular and common of the two.

What is Santa called in England?

Father Christmas is the traditional English name for the personification of Christmas. Although now known as a Christmas gift-bringer, and typically considered to be synonymous with Santa Claus, he was originally part of a much older and unrelated English folkloric tradition.

Is it right to say Happy Christmas?

Merry Christmas and Happy Christmas are both greetings used during the last part of December, around Christmastime. The first word of each is only capitalized when used as a greeting. When one is speaking of a happy or merry Christmas, the adjectives are lowercase.

What is a British word for happy?

Chuffed. When you're really happy or proud of something, the perfect word in British slang to describe your emotions is chuffed.

What is the difference between Merry Christmas and Happy Christmas?

It is widely believed that the word "happy" had a higher social level connotation than "merry," which was often linked to the raucousness of the lower classes. Since that time, the royal family has made "Happy Christmas" their preferred greeting, and it is now commonly used in Britain.

What is British slang for girl?

'Lass' or 'lassie' is another word for 'girl'. This is mainly in the north of England and Scotland. 'Lad' is another word for boy.

What is British slang for wife?

Trouble and Strife is Cockney slang for Wife. Trouble and Strife is classic Cockney Rhyming Slang.

What is British slang for kiss?

The verb snog is British slang for kiss, cuddle, or make out. It's a word that is more and more common in American English as well, as a casual way to talk about kissing. It can be painful for kids to watch their parents snog, and many of them don't want to see people snog in movies either.

What does USA call Santa?

1. English: Santa Claus / Father Christmas. In the UK, US and Canada, “Santa Claus” or “Father Christmas” is believed to travel around the world sporting a red suit on his sleigh, pulled by reindeer.

Why does Santa wear green in England?

The origins of Father Christmas in England date back to ancient pre-Christian midwinter festivals where an unnamed pagan figure, robed in a green hooded cloak and wearing a wreath of holly, ivy or mistletoe, would come to lift people's spirits during the bleakest time of year.

Is Santa Claus American or British?

The American version of St. Nicholas, or Santa Claus originally came from the Dutch version called Sint Nikolaas or Sinterklaas. The Dutch settlers in New Amsterdam (New York) brought this fun and lively tradition (some even say cult) to America.

What is Santa called in Russia?

Unlike the bloated, red-coated father Christmas of the West, Russia's Santa Claus, known as Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost), is slender with a wizard-like flowing beard and he wears a long robe that comes in different colors, such as blue and white.

Do British children believe in Santa?

In the UK, 92% of children 8 years old or younger believe in Father Christmas – he's still Santa, by a different name -, at least as reported by their parents (this datum might be a bit inflated by the fact that some children do not want their parents to find out that they – the children – have stopped believing, so ...

What is Santa called in Germany?

Traditionally, Santa Claus, or Weihnachtsmann in German, does not drop down chimneys and deliver gifts the eve of Dec. 25 in Germany. Instead, the Christkind or Christkindl, an angel-like creature with blond hair and wings, brings gifts to families on the eve of Christmas.