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Why are Happy Easter & Merry Christmas the same in Polish


posts: 17

SophiaSThreads: 1
Joined: Dec 14, 11 ♀ 		 Dec 14, 11, 23:28    #1
I did a number of searches on the internet and this site on how to translate Merry Christmas into Polish because according to my parents, one year I wished everyone a Happy Easter instead.

I am confused - Why does Weso造ch 安i徠 translate to both Happy Easter & Merry Christmas?
Thanking you in advace for your insights - dz瘽kuje bardzo

Sophia (Zosia)
Marynka11Threads: 8
Posts: 1,447
Joined: Nov 3, 10 ♀ 		 Dec 14, 11, 23:35    #2
Wesolych Swiat says as much as merry holidays. That's why it's good for both occasions.
Lyzko  Dec 14, 11, 23:49    #3
More precisely if you want to specify in Polish the holiday (usually not necessary when speaking), it's "Weso造ch 安i徠 Bo瞠go Narodzenia" or "Weso造ch 安i徠 Wielkanoc", respectively "Joyous Holiday of our Lord's birth" (Christmas) vs. "Joyous Holiday of the Great Night", resp. (Easter)

I've only been greeted by Poles with a simple "Weso造ch 安i徠!", period-:) As many know I'm Jewish, they might add ".........Chanukkah!" LOL
Lyzko  Dec 14, 11, 23:56    #4
"Chanukki", sorry!
Zman  Dec 14, 11, 23:59    #5
Lyzko: it would be: Weso造ch 安i徠 Wielkanocy! or ....Wielkanocnych! Both expressions are rarely used though, however your version is not grammatically correct. Just saying... The wishes are made mostly for X-mas though, and in a shortened version i.e. Weso造ch 安i徠! Re: Hannukkah, I was once interrogated by those Haredis (from Brooklyn?) in Downtown NYC on Broadway, who had just lit a major Menorah there. Perhaps I looked jewish to them? They seemed very joyous at the time.... as we all should be now. Then again, some swedish chick asked me if I was swedish when I was on Cran Canaria... LOL :-)
pawianThreads: 90
Posts: 5,395
Joined: May 30, 08  Pictures: 2 ♂ 		Edited by: pawian  Dec 15, 11, 00:13    #6
SophiaS:
I am confused - Why does Weso造ch 安i徠 translate to both Happy Easter & Merry Christmas?



You are a really happy person to have such problems.

Now, can you explain sth to me? Why do the English language speakers use two different adjectives for Christmas and Easter? It isn`t normal, is it ?
Lyzko  Dec 17, 11, 15:38    #7
I realize now my mistake with the Easter Greetings. Somewhere, I remember a children's expression 'Weso造ch Jajkach!', but this maybe either my faulty memory, plain bad Polish, an older regionalism/slang, or simply dialect.
JonnyMThreads: 16
Posts: 4,487
Joined: Mar 9, 11 ♂ 		 Dec 17, 11, 15:40    #8
pawian:
Why do the English language speakers use two different adjectives for Christmas and Easter? It isn`t normal, is it ?

Very normal. Happy is good for both. Merry has an old meaning involving parties (and alcohol). "Merry meet".
Lyzko  Dec 17, 11, 15:42    #9
Pawian, perhaps the English were used to being a bit "merry" (tipsy, inebriated) at Christmas time, since it does fall in winter which can be bitterly cold and there's nothing like some nice mulled wine or punch to take the chill from the bonesLOL Easter's considered a happy or joyous event in itself (nothing whatsoever to do with alcohol consumption), as our Christian brethren believe on this day, their Savior rose again!
rozumiemnicThreads: 4
Posts: 1,019
Joined: Nov 16, 09 ♀ 		 Dec 17, 11, 17:22    #10
pawian:
Why do the English language speakers use two different adjectives for Christmas and Easter? It isn`t normal, is it ?

'merry' means drunk, and you don't get drunk at Easter.
Some English speakers object to 'merry' Christmas, and use 'happy' for that very reason.
Lyzko  Dec 17, 11, 17:36    #11
In German, one typically wishes "ein gesegnetes Weihnachtsfest" or "a blessed Christmas" when being more formal and solemn. It's merely an alternative though, strictly up to the individual speaker:-)
pawianThreads: 90
Posts: 5,395
Joined: May 30, 08  Pictures: 2 ♂ 		 Dec 17, 11, 23:12    #12
rozumiemnic:
'merry' means drunk,



Only as No 3 explanation:

1. cheerful; jolly
2. very funny; hilarious
3. Brit informal slightly drunk
4. Archaic delightful


rozumiemnic:
and you don't get drunk at Easter.


Why not?
WroclawThreads: 77
Posts: 7,404
Joined: Apr 1, 06  Pictures: 3 ♂ [Moderator] 		 Dec 17, 11, 23:15    #13
pawian:
Only as No 3 explanation:

1. cheerful; jolly
2. very funny; hilarious
3. Brit informal slightly drunk
4. Archaic delightful


as the term was introduced by charles dickens i'd plump for number 1 or maybe 4
pamThreads: 22
Posts: 463
Joined: Oct 11, 11  Gold Member MEMBER ♀ 		 Dec 17, 11, 23:17    #14
rozumiemnic:
'merry' means drunk

sorry, but MERRY means slightly intoxicated...you are not falling down yet! maybe later!!
pawianThreads: 90
Posts: 5,395
Joined: May 30, 08  Pictures: 2 ♂ 		 Dec 17, 11, 23:29    #15
This discussion reminds me of our History of Brit Literature lecturer who, while discussing some English poem, complained that such a beautiful word as gay got so corrupted. :):):)

PS. I have dug out my old indexbook to recover the professor`s name - dr P. Vernon. I liked him for his unorthodox attitude.
pamThreads: 22
Posts: 463
Joined: Oct 11, 11  Gold Member MEMBER ♀ 		 Dec 17, 11, 23:51    #16
pawian:
This discussion reminds me of our History of Brit Literature lecturer who, while discussing some English poem, complained that such a beautiful word as gay got so corrupted. :):):)

totally normal for england. most words get corrupted somewhere along the way haha!
ColdSteelThreads: -
Posts: 23
Joined: Dec 17, 11 ♀ 		 Dec 18, 11, 01:09    #17
Lyzko:
I realize now my mistake with the Easter Greetings. Somewhere, I remember a children's expression 'Weso造ch Jajkach!', but this maybe either my faulty memory, plain bad Polish, an older regionalism/slang, or simply dialect.

I wouldn't recommend using those words. 'Jajka' (eggs) have similar connotations as 'balls' in English. Also I don't think anyone wishes 'Merry Eggs (or Balls)'. It's 'smacznego jajka' but as a part of longer greetings. Anyway, it's best to just forget about mentioning eggs unless you're prepared for sex-related jokes.


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