why do british say happy christmas

In Britain, the phrase "Happy Christmas" is commonly used instead of "Merry Christmas." The reason for this goes back to the Victorian era, where the word "merry" was often associated with drunkenness or rowdy behavior. As a result, some people began using the phrase "Happy Christmas" as a polite alternative to "Merry Christmas." Over time, this phrase became a standard greeting during the holiday season in Britain. However, in other parts of the English-speaking world, "Merry Christmas" remains the more common greeting.