Quote:
Originally Posted by QuantumIguana
The primary definition of 'birthday' is the anniversary of a birth, so, we do use it in the literal sense. To refer to the actual day and year someone was born is a secondary definition.
We could say "Congratulations on the anniversary of your birth", and that would also be accurate, but would be considered unusual.
|
Indeed.
♪ Happy Anniversary to you.
♫ Happy Anniversary to you.
♪ Happy Anniversary dear Charles.
♪ (even though you are dead). Happy Anniversary to you.
Just not the same spirit to it.
I live in a very small town in the northern woods of Wisconsin and I knew all about it. Then I suppose that I am unusual for my area in that I subscribe to
The Smithsonian Magazine and listen mainly to public radio broadcasts of programs such as this
"The World of Charles Dickens."