Baldur

Here if we heard anyone say 'Happy Christmas' we would automatically assume they are British. Yet there is nothing incorrect at all about using the words together, just it seems that forever in the US the words merry and Christmas have been linked.
Oddly, because 'Merry' is considered an old-fashioned word it is rarely used for any other purpose

polenta

Thanks Baldur and Maddy too. I have a clearer idea now after all these comments.

maddyjean08

Well, I hear the word MERRY in Christmas songs, not saying MERRY Christmas, but usually talking about Santa's face...

puzzler

Being English, I nearly always write Happy Christmas on my Christmas cards and use it much more often when speaking to others, than I would use Merry. It is always, Happy, for the New Year.
So Seasonal Felicitations to you All!

polenta

Puzzler, happy birthday!!!!
The final thing would be : in US mostly MERRY CHRISTMAS and in UK mostly HAPPY CHRISTMAS although the other way around wouldn't amaze anyone.
Puzzler, what if I wished you a MERRY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!LOL,LOL,LOL

puzzler

Then I'd have to get rather tipsy (mildly drunk), so that you could say I was 'merry'. But it's no longer my birthday, alas.

polenta

LOL PUZZLER

I have a question. If a new government takes office, can I say : THE ASSUMPTION WILL TAKE PLACE NEXT FEBRUARY?

My question is if the word ASSUMPTION is correct or if there is another word that is better or more usual.
Thanks

Baldur

No, that sentence would sound awkward.
I think the way we would hear it most often in the United States is:
'The new administration will take office in February.'
though you could say:
'The President will assume office in February'
The first choice would be far more likely.
Much is made here of the President being the main event of the government change, but the change actually involves many politicians getting new positions.

polenta

Thanks Baldur. So the word ASSUME is correct but ASSUMPTION would be awkward.
Tell me, if there is a formal ceremony when the new president takes office, how do you call it?
I'm asking this because in Spanish we call it CEREMONIA DE ASUNCION. Could you maybe call it THE TAKING OFFICE CEREMONY?
Thanks for your time.

matthew

That would be the "Oath of Office"... Where the president swears an oath of allegiance to God & Country...

matthew

...The ceremony is refered to as the Presidential Inauguration...


...The Oath...

..."I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." Said to date with hand on bible finishing with "So help me God".

matthew

Here are some neat links for you...

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/pihtml/pibible.html

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/pihtml/pinotable.html

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/pihtml/pivid00.html

polenta

Matthew I think the expression PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION is the one I'm looking for. Thanks a lot you too. It's so nice to have native English speakers to help with doubts. I appreciate it.

polenta

Matthew; I did know the oath and I remember that in the last presidential inauguration, while taking the oath, Obama didn't say it correctly and decided to take the oath again. Remember?
Or maybe his lawyers advised him to do so.
What an anecdote to tell our grandchildren!!!

polenta

I was wondering. What would happen if someone who is not Christian or a non-believer was chosen as the US president? Would he swear on the Bible? I think in Argentina you must be Catholic (not sure). Here they swear laying their hands on the Constitution because there is a separation between State and Church. Just a question.
Imagine someone Jewish, Muslim, atheist, etc.

Baldur

Inauguration is correct but that only refers to the ceremony in which the President is formally administered his oath.
During President Obama's inaugural oath it was the Justice who messed up the oath. His job is to recite it for the incoming President to repeat.
President Obama had memorized and no doubt practiced the correct version. The confusion came when the Justice twisted a couple of the words around and Mr Obama had to decide whether to repeat it as spoken or give the correct version.

Baldur

I wonder myself about the Bible question, I do believe it is the law that the Bible be used.
So much for the separation of church and state.
However the President has been traditionally permitted to use his family Bible, one of sentimental value to his family.
Perhaps that book could be the Torah, though the opposition would be sure to point out legal ramifications

Baldur

There has been countless debate that President Obama's Birth certificate, many claiming that he was not born in the United States.
Those responsible for certifying such things claim his birth certificate is valid, but the opposition claim it is not.
Even if you laid the document in their hands they would claim it was falsified so there is nothing to be gained there.
Some people are just never happy and like to stir unrest.

Baldur

-that +over

five

The president does not have to swear on the bible, and he can "affirm" rather than "swear" -- it's an oath, the wording is specified in the Constitution: "Before he enter on the execution of his office, he shall take the following oath or affirmation:--'I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.'" "So help me God" is not mandated by the Constitution.