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Many happy returns

Posted by Bob on November 05, 1999

In Reply to: Many happy returns posted by Mike Russo on November 04, 1999

: Has anyone knowledge of the origin of "Many happy returns of the day"? I think it refers to wishing one many more years (returns of the earth) of a birthday or an anniversary, i.e. "may you live many more years".
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: My friend thinks it relates a more obvious meaning of "may many more salutations greet you on this day".
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: Mike Russo

Your birthday returns every year on the calendar. I wish you not just many returns, but many happy returns. A long and jou=yous life. (My birthday's on October 11. Feel free to send me something nice. A shrubbery. Not too fussy.)

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