"Happy Holidays" for Thanksgiving?

[Rob L]

As a non-American, something that rather perplexed me on my recent pre-Thanksgiving trip to the USA was the TV's and billboards always saying "Happy Holidays".

I can understand (but disagree) when it relates to Christmas, but this was referring to the Thanksgiving celebration.

Do Americans actually say "Happy Thanksgiving" (or similar) or is it just the TV and billboard writers using the same ad. until Christmas?

P.s. Is Christmas also celebrated in the USA? Is the expression "Merry Christmas" actually used on American TV any more?

[Scott Card]

Well, I say "Happy Thanksgiving" and I say "Merry Christmas". Happy Holidays seems to be where it is all heading. The "Happy Holidays" used to be December/ New Years celebrations to include the Jewish and Christian holidays as well as New Year's eve and day. There used to be a clear break between Thanksgiving and Christmas (or the Holiday season) but this year, even the Christmas shopping bled into Thanksgiving. So, it seems to all be merging into a "Happy Holiday" sort of thing which I don't like.

I am surprised that they (those pushing political correctness) even say "Happy" given the fact that some people are sad, some are mad, some are stressed, angry, upset, ill, ....etc.., anything but happy. And "Holiday", if I understand correctly, came from "Holy Day" which should terribly offend everyone. So, to be politically correct, we should just make a non offensive hand jesture and say "day". Actually, any hand jester could be considered gang signs, wrong in the Congo or somewhere else, or threatening. Don't make a jesture. And then the term "Day" is problematic. The term "day" is biblical in origin, probably, so let's not speak at all. Just don't talk to anyone. Put your head down and mutter "life stinks" then if anyone hears the two can wallow together in misery and apply for some government benefits.

[trackrunner]

probably the holiday season from thanksgiving, Christmas, to new years

[Sombeech]

Yes, it's Happy Thanksgiving, but Merry Christmas. When I first lived in England I was taken back by the phrase "Happy Christmas" but then started to wonder why we say "Merry" in the first place.