英語口語：為什麼是Merry Christmas，不是Happy Christmas

為什麼是Merry Christmas?

Google 這麼說：

"Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year" (thus incorporating two greetings) was in an informal letter written by an English admiral in 1699. The same phrase is contained in the 16th century secular English carol "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," and the first commercial Christmas card, produced in England in 1843."

1699年一位英國上將在一封非正式的信裡寫到“Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year”. 16世紀的英國聖誕歌裡也包含了同樣的說法“We Wish You a Merry Christmas”。而1843年英格蘭的第一封市售的聖誕卡片上，也印有相同的祝福。

蛋詞君這麼說：

"Happy" is an emotional condition, while "merry" is a behavior. "Happy"感覺像一種情緒，而"Merry"感覺是一種行為，會要做什麼事情來慶祝。

比如，英語中有一種說法：

The more, the merrier 越多，越快樂

但是在英國，可能會說Happy Christmas

British people say "Happy Christmas"

北美主流還是Merry Christmas

Wish you a very merry Christmas