Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?
Dec 10th 2012, 4:08 pm
#91
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Re: Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?
Makes more sense to be in January anyway, since the coldest weather is usually later than Dec 21st anyway but we weren't exactly dealing with the most scientifically minded people when these conventions were first adopted.
Interestingly, and rather off topic, but the Earth is actually slightly closer to the sun during the (northern) winter than during the summer, it is just the axial tilt that points 'away' from the sun as it were.
So now you can tell everyone - the Earth's axial tilt is the true 'reason for the season'
Interestingly, and rather off topic, but the Earth is actually slightly closer to the sun during the (northern) winter than during the summer, it is just the axial tilt that points 'away' from the sun as it were.
So now you can tell everyone - the Earth's axial tilt is the true 'reason for the season'
Dec 10th 2012, 4:11 pm
#92
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Re: Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?
Yes I learned that, as I said a few posts ago, I had not come across the 'Dec 21st is the start of winter' until I came to America, so it got me googling a bit on it, so I discovered the point you mention above, and some cultures have winter starting in November. Norwegian meteorologists say it is October 14!
Dec 10th 2012, 4:15 pm
#93
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Re: Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?
Dec 10th 2012, 4:43 pm
#94
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Re: Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?
It was only in the last few hundred years when we started to understand the astronomical reason for the seasons, i.e. the position of the Earth's axis relative to the Sun - so these are relatively new ideas, in 6,000 years of recorded history, and 200,000 years as a species
Still - Happy bloody Christmas nonetheless
Dec 10th 2012, 4:51 pm
#95
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Re: Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?
I think I'm in agreement with you. What we in the Northern Hemisphere call the winter solstice is an astronomical event - it's the day of the year that has the shortest period of daylight and the sun is at it's lowest point on the horizon. Nothing to do with when the meteorological period of winter starts and ends. The two shouldn't be conflated.
Regards, JEff
Regards, JEff
Why does the astronomical community consider the shortest day to be the start of winter? I am guessing with your background you probably know.
I have been accustomed to the start of Dec being the start of winter for meteorological community (and the man in the street) and the solstice being mid-winter from pagan/new age communities, I had not come across the solstice being considered the start of winter until I came to America, but I do not know any astronomers (apart from you)
I have been accustomed to the start of Dec being the start of winter for meteorological community (and the man in the street) and the solstice being mid-winter from pagan/new age communities, I had not come across the solstice being considered the start of winter until I came to America, but I do not know any astronomers (apart from you)
Dec 10th 2012, 5:00 pm
#97
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Dec 10th 2012, 5:08 pm
#99
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Dec 10th 2012, 5:20 pm
#100
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Re: Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?
See you in six months when we shall discuss Shakespeare and whether 'Midsummers Nights Dream' should be translated as 'Startsummers nights dream'
Dec 10th 2012, 5:22 pm
#101
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Re: Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?
Dec 20th 2012, 4:39 pm
#102
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Re: Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?
The start of winter ? Surely 21 Dec is MIDWINTER. The solstice marks the middle of the season.
Dec 20th 2012, 5:29 pm
#104
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Re: Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?
Are you offended at Season's greetings? Lots of those cards in UK. Never heard of anyone being offended by that.
Dec 20th 2012, 6:15 pm
#105
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Re: Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?
I've been led to believe that it can be considered 'offensive' by the overly PC fraternity to say 'Merry Christmas' to other people nowadays (particularly if they are of a different 'faith' - although I am not of any faith or belief).
Personally, I couldn't care less if someone was offended by that, and if they made it clear to me they were I would simply state that my traditional seasonal greeting was unencumbered with any religious sentiment.
How do others feel?
Personally, I couldn't care less if someone was offended by that, and if they made it clear to me they were I would simply state that my traditional seasonal greeting was unencumbered with any religious sentiment.
How do others feel?