March 2010

ENGLISH IDIOM OF THE MONTH:
„Many happy returns“

 

MEANING

You say this to someone who you wish will have many more happy days. It usually refers to birthdays.

TRANSLATION

«Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag»
(wörtlich: „viele glückliche Momente mögen wiederkehren“).

ORIGIN

This is dated from the 18th Century as a greeting, now used mainly for birthdays. It is used more in Britain than in America.