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Monitor Weekly digital edition. Community Connect. People Making a Difference. Points of Progress. A Christian Science Perspective. Monitor Movie Guide. Although cultures mark years differently — for example, the year began in September, according to the Jewish calendar — most people in the United States and Britain still also follow the calendar that proclaims this Jan.
IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Share this —. Follow think. Historians believe it might boil down to a simple grammatical lesson.
Consider, for example, the free-spirited act of "merry-making" versus the state of simply "being happy. As both words evolved and changed meanings over time, people slowly stopped using "merry" as its own individual word during the 18th and 19th centuries.
It stuck around in common phrases like "the more, the merrier," as well as in things like Christmas songs and stories, largely due to the influence of Charles Dickens. The Victorian Christmas went on to define many of today's Christmas traditions.
It's no wonder that now when we hear "Merry Christmas" we hear something sentimental. Even the word "merry" on its own now makes us think of December Country Life.
Up for a challenge? Learn how to say Merry Christmas in different foreign languages! Do you want to greet someone this Christmas in Afrikaans?
Do it! Or how about Vietnamese, Swedish, Portuguese, or Thai? Just jump online and check out the list of Merry Christmas in dozens of different languages. Pick a few, learn the saying, and share them with friends and family members. If you know someone who speaks one of these foreign languages, ask them for help with proper pronunciation!
You can do the same for other holidays, such as Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. Did you get it? Test your knowledge. Wonder Words merry tend carol steam annual sense pinpoint underpinnings manuscript broadcast preferred prevalence commercially boisterousness intoxication linguistic conservative unrestrained Take the Wonder Word Challenge.
Join the Discussion. Uncle Jay Dec 25, Christmas is actually Christians' celebration of 'the first day that the sun's arc starts to increase its angle across the sky' 'Pagan' Romans called it "Saturnalia," I think. Jan 3, How interesting! Thanks for sharing, Uncle Jay. Pablo-salazar-vazquez Dec 17, Dec 17, Thanks for sharing, Pablo!
Monroe Dec 16, Dec 16, Thanks, Monroe! Happy holidays! You're welcome, Monroe! Kyle Dec 11, Christmas is right around the corner. It is so much fun. I get a lot of presents especially at my grandma's house. It snowed on Wednesday. It will be a White Christmas this year. Dec 11, That's great, Kyle! We're hoping it's a White Christmas in Wonderopolis this year.
Dec 12, We're happy to hear that, julia! What is your favorite Wonder? Jan 24, We're glad you're enjoying it, aallyah! What's your favorite Wonder? Daevon Chapman Dec 20, Dec 21, Malinda Dec 19, Dec 6, Hi, dezmond! Try reading through this Wonder one more time to find out! Apr 12, Arushi Dhingra Dec 17, Merry Christmas WonderPolis. Thanks for your amazing content.
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