many happy returns

noun

Etymology

The earliest attributable use was by Lady Newdigate in a letter written in 1789 (and published in Newdigate-Newdegate Cheverels in 1898): Many happy returns of ye day to us my Dr Love.

Definitions

  1. A greeting, usually for birthdays, in reference to the passing year

    A greeting, usually for birthdays, in reference to the passing year; Happy birthday!

The neighborhood

Vish — recursive loop

No curated loop yet for many happy returns. Loops are being traced one word at a time while the ingestion pipeline matures.

sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA