Best of: “Happy Holidays” vs “Merry Christmas”: What’s behind our seasonal greetings?
The phrases "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Holidays" have a surprising history, belying their current contentious uses in the so-called "war on Christmas." Reginald Hardwick/IPM News
Not only are people juggling their end-of-the-year work, the cold weather in the Midwest and finding time to fulfill loved ones’ demanding Christmas lists; they’re navigating what some in society are calling a “war on Christmas.”
The 21st was joined by a professor of history and a columnist to discuss how “Merry Christmas,” a once very common phrase, has resulted in a political divide due to ideology, age and even gender.
This conversation originally aired Dec. 14, 2022.
GUESTS:
Melissa Mohr
Author of “Holy S***: A Brief History of Swearing” | Columnist, Christian Science Monitor
Brian Balogh
Professor of History Emeritus, University of Virginia | Co-Host, "Backstory"
Opinion | Melissa Mohr: The choice between sticking with the traditional salutation or the more politically correct “Happy Holidays” is riven by differences in ideology, age, geography and gender. https://t.co/LR3GPedp4z - @NBCNewsTHINK
— NBC News (@NBCNews) December 23, 2019
Prepared for web by Owen Henderson
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