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Jackson6612 Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Many happy returns of the day.
What does the given phrase mean?
Many happy returns of the day.
Many happy returns of the day.
Top answer
It means happy birthday. Don't ask me why. Presumably it's a wish that your birthday will return many times so you'll live to a ripe old age?
- It means happy birthday.
- Don't ask me why.
- Presumably it's a wish that your birthday will return many times so you'll live to a ripe old age?
- Not sure though.
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4 Answers
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It means happy birthday.
Don't ask me why. Presumably it's a wish that your birthday will return many times so you'll live to a ripe old age? Not sure though.
Don't ask me why. Presumably it's a wish that your birthday will return many times so you'll live to a ripe old age? Not sure though.
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Nona, I associate that phrase so strongly with Winnie the Pooh. I picture Piglet running through the woods to Owl's birthday with the balloon. That was one of my favorite Pooh stories.
Is the phrase still used commonly in England, or does it have an old-fashioned feel?
Is the phrase still used commonly in England, or does it have an old-fashioned feel?
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Hi Barbara,
Thank you for the input.
I understand the phrasem, which can easily be converted into a sentence, as ''I wish you many happy returns (repetitions) of the day ('the day' stands for birthday). It is same as wishing someone a long healthy life.
Thank you for the input.
I understand the phrasem, which can easily be converted into a sentence, as ''I wish you many happy returns (repetitions) of the day ('the day' stands for birthday). It is same as wishing someone a long healthy life.
Grammar GeekI associate that phrase so strongly with Winnie the Pooh.
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