英語口語：為什么是Merry Christmas，不是Happy Christmas
為什么是Merry Christmas?
Google 這么說：
"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里寫到“Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year”. 16世紀的英國圣誕歌里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圣誕卡片上，也印有相同的祝福。
蛋詞君這么說：
"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，會要做什么事情來慶祝。
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