who said 'merry' christmas first? why not 'happy' christmas? it was a brilliant choice of word though because 'merry' and 'christmas' are inseparable today. I just want to know who is the origin and what prompted he(or she) to say 'merry' instead of 'happy'?
2007-11-24 08:34:07 · 10 answers · asked by martha 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Merry is a word from Middle English.
This ancient version of English was spoken between the Norman invasion of 1066 and the 15th century.
With love in Christ.
2007-12-01 11:46:05 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What is the big difference ??? When greeting people, many say , I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I also say be Happy at Christmas time. Merry and Happy falls under the same definition or likeness. I think the wonderful greeting was started in England, and spread all over the World. Or Christians would say Mary and Christ. Mary Christmas. I just don't know !!!
2007-11-24 16:45:14 · answer #2 · answered by Norskeyenta 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Merry
Middle English mery, from Old English myrge, merge; akin to Old High German murg short — more at brief
Date:
before 12th century
1archaic : giving pleasure : delightful
2: full of gaiety or high spirits : mirthful
3: marked by festivity or gaiety
Probably just depended on where one lived in old England or what class you were born to.
Traditions travel with immigrants
2007-11-24 16:42:12 · answer #3 · answered by silkin_storm 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I say Happy Christmas to my husbands family; as they are English and belong to the Church of England.
2007-11-24 16:38:53 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's another rip off from the Pagans.... notice they traditionally say "Merry Meet" when greeting others.
Christ mass was tacked on when they co-opted their yule traditions.
2007-11-24 16:38:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
In Britain they say "Happy Christmas".
2007-11-24 16:36:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
It was an advertising campaign brought to you by your local, just a guess
2007-11-24 16:37:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
"The History Channel?" "Peace!"
2007-11-24 16:41:28 · answer #8 · answered by Mr. "Diamond" 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe Mary said it first.
The first known instance of 'branding'.
2007-11-24 16:36:11 · answer #9 · answered by Mojo 5 · 1⤊ 5⤋
Geez, who really gives a crap?
2007-11-24 16:37:03 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋