Normally, when we greet and take leave of people, we rely on what linguists call phatic speech. Their primary function now is to characterize the speaker, serving as badges of group identification.
It is one that also plays out in Britain, though for different reasons. There the divide is between classes. Since there has never been any separation of church and state in the United Kingdom, Christianity suffuses public life in ways that might seem strange to Americans. 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. Design Ideas. Home Maintenance.
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God Bless You! Gordon Calthrop, a prebendary at St. But I had a reason in my own mind for departing in this particular instance from the general custom. The bishop, a prisoner in the Tower of London, asks Cromwell in the letter for better clothing and other necessities, as well as a priest to hear his confession.
Frequently in Merry Christmas! Make up the fires, and buy another coal-scuttle before you dot another i, Bob Cratchit! Help support the Grammarphobia Blog with your donation.
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