I have evidence that "Happy Holidays" has been going on for a while

[jmowreader]

This is pretty long, so bear with me.

In the past couple of weeks, the fundies have been all up in arms that Americans are wishing each other "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas." Also, in the last couple of weeks our cover music vendor (Muzak) has been playing nothing but Christmas songs.

I have not so coincidentally noticed that a lot of those songs don't have the word "Christmas" in them. So let's use a few of the non-Christmas Christmas songs to prove this point.

First, the 1952 chestnut "It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year"
It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
With the kids jingle belling
And everyone telling you "Be of good cheer"
It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
It's the hap - happiest season of all
With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings
When friends come to call
It's the hap - happiest season of all

There'll be parties for hosting
Marshmallows for toasting
And caroling out in the snow
There'll be scary ghost stories
And tales of the glories of
Christmases long, long ago

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
There'll be much mistltoeing
And hearts will be glowing
When love ones are near
It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

There'll be parties for hosting
Marshmallows for toasting
And caroling out in the snow
There'll be scary ghost stories
And tales of the glories of
Christmases long, long ago

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
There'll be much mistltoeing
And hearts will be glowing
When love ones are near
It's The Most Wonderful Time
It's The Most Wonderful Time
It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

And this 1942 favorite "Happy Holiday" from the movie "Holiday Inn," which contains the phrase "Christmas tree" but I'll let them slide over that one:
Happy Holiday
Happy Holiday
While the merry bells keep ringing
May your every wish come true

Happy Holiday
Happy Holiday
May the calendar keep bringing
Happy Holidays to you

It's the holiday season
And Santa Claus is coming back
The Christmas snow is white on the ground
When old Santa gets into town
He'll be coming down the chimney, down
Coming down the chimney, down

It's the holiday season
And Santa Claus has got a toy
For every good girl and good little boy
He's a great big bundle of joy
He'll be coming down the chimney, down
Coming down the chimney, down

He'll have a big fat pack upon his back
And lots of goodies for you and me
So leave a peppermint stick for old St. Nick
Hanging on the Christmas tree

It's the holiday season
With the whoop-de-do and hickory dock
And don't forget to hang up your sock
'Cause just exactly at 12 o'clock
He'll be coming down the chimney
Coming down the chimney
Coming down the chimney, down!

Happy Holiday
Happy Holiday
While the merry bells keep bringing
Happy Holidays to you

Happy Holiday
Happy Holiday
May the calendar keep bringing
Happy Holidays to you
To you
Happy Holiday
Happy Holiday
Happy Holiday.......FADE

There are a lot of them--Jingle Bells, Jingle Bell Rock, Sleigh Ride...and ALL of them predate the fundie "OMG, That Christmas Greeting Didn't Say Merry Christmas--I've Lost My Religion Over This" fret.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

1. I remember it from my 1950s childhood

It was recommended as a year-end greeting to mixed groups of Christians and Jews.

[Left Is Write]

2. Oh yes, "Happy Holidays" and "Seasons Greetings" have been around

a lot longer than I have, and I'm 38.

I should point out, however, that "The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" does mention Christmas - "...tales of the glories of Christmases long long ago..."

But then in addition to the other songs you mentioned (Jingle Bells, Jingle Bell Rock, Sleigh Ride), we also have Winter Wonderland, Let It Snow, Marshmallow World, and others that don't mention Christmas.

I think the fundies are speaking out right now because they've been emboldened by Dubya's "win" and are going to be more aggressive about their narrow fundamental agenda.

[seaglass]

3. Happy Holidays means New Year's too. It;s all inclusive.

What a bunch of dopes.

[Droopy]

4. And it could mean Hanuku (sp?) as well

That's what their problem is.

[stranger_with_candy]

5. both of the songs you listed

mention christmas... the second one several times. i'm confused.

[jmowreader]

6. But the songs refer to "the holidays" not "Christmas" exclusively

Which means they also include Hanukkah, New Year's, Yule, Solstice...

as the poster said last week, whatever you celebrate, make it a happy one, 'kay?

[stranger_with_candy]

7. i will

you too!!

[redstateblues]

8. What about "Chet's Nuts Roasting On An Open Fire"

Chet not liking it at all.