Have you ever noticed how the British say Happy Christmas, while Americans say Merry Christmas? I looked this up online recently, and found that someone named Tiffany said on a forum that she feels there is "little difference in meaning between Merry Christmas and Happy Christmas." I don't know who Tiffany is, but clearly she doesn't understand the subtle but vast difference between these two Christmases.
Let me explain. When I say "Happy Christmas," I'm hoping you'll have the kind of anthemic, war-free holiday described in "Happy Christmas / War is Over" by John Lennon. I use Happy Christmas on people who need a little pick-me-up, people who are in a little Christmas funk. I'm saying, "It's Christmas, child, get over yourself. Cheer up, a lot of wars are over, like the Revolutionary and Civil wars."
Merry Christmas clearly has a much more pragmatic, down to earth feel to it. I use Merry Christmas on people who have their head in the clouds, people who are bubbling over with Christmas cheer. I'm wishing them a warm but realistic Christmas, like the one in Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song" (the Chestnuts Roasting on an open fire song). "Though it's been said many times, many ways, merry Christmas to you." It's the perfect way to say, Get ahold of yourself; Christmas can be touching, but keep it sensible.
Now I'm not saying Tiffany can't have both Christmases, I just think you ought to know what you're talking about when you say "Merry Christmas." Just trying to elevate the level of discussion on the dubya dubya dubya.
1 comment:
This is really very deep.
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