Around the World in Festive Phrases
The holiday season, celebrated around the world in countless ways, offers us a wonderful opportunity to appreciate the linguistic and cultural richness that defines our global community.
During these festive weeks, people gather to share meals, exchange gifts, and pass down traditions that have been cherished for generations. Some customs revolve around storytelling or poetry, while others centre on music, costumes, or even cherished culinary treats. And underlying all these varied expressions is language itself – phrases and words unique to a region or a people, capturing the essence of their festive spirit.
Across continents, we find playful sayings that bring humour to holiday gatherings, poetic phrases that honour the past, and inventive expressions that celebrate hope, renewal, and the bonds of family and friendship. By exploring the words and traditions that mark this celebratory time, we gain a deeper understanding of the values and joys that unite us. So let us embark on a linguistic journey, sampling how different cultures weave language and celebration together – one heartfelt greeting, quirky custom, and clever turn of phrase at a time.
Jólabókaflóð – Icelandic
Approximately pronounced: yo-la-bok-a-floeth
Jólabókaflóð – or “Christmas book flood” – is a delightful Icelandic tradition that celebrates the nation’s love of literature. During the holidays, Icelanders exchange books on Christmas Eve and spend the evening reading them while sipping on hot cocoa. It’s a bibliophile’s dream come true!
Mari Lwyd – Welsh
Approximately pronounced: mah-ree loo-id
The Mari Lwyd is a fascinating Welsh tradition involving a decorated horse skull mounted on a pole. Participants go door-to-door singing and engaging in witty rhyme battles to gain entry to homes – a uniquely spooky yet festive custom. It isn’t known for sure where the name comes from – some think it refers to Mary, the mother of Jesus, while others think it more likely that it means “grey mare”, because lwyd means “grey” in Welsh.
Kurisumasu ni wa Kentakkii – Japanese
Approximately pronounced: koo-ree-soo-mah-soo nee wah ken-tah-kee
In Japan, Christmas isn’t a traditional holiday, but Kurisumasu ni wa Kentakkii (“Kentucky for Christmas”) has become a popular custom. Families often enjoy a special fried chicken meal on Christmas Day, a tradition started by a marketing campaign in the 1970s.
Decemberzegels – Dutch
Approximately pronounced: day-sem-ber-zay-guhls
During the holidays, you can’t just send greeting cards with any old stamp – at least, not in the Netherlands. Decemberzegels – literally “December stamps” – are special holiday stamps available at a discounted rate. So, no matter what you’re writing (as long as it’s 50 grams or less), you can send it within the Netherlands with one stamp, or anywhere in the world with just two stamps.
Matunda ya kwanza – Swahili
Approximately pronounced: mah-tun-dah yah kwan-zah
Matunda ya kwanza, or “first fruits,” is a key phrase associated with Kwanzaa, a celebration of African heritage and culture. It highlights themes of community, gratitude, and prosperity during the festive season.
Tió de Nadal – Catalan/Spanish
Approximately pronounced: tee-oh day nad-ahl
In Catalonia, Tió de Nadal (or “Christmas log”) is a whimsical tradition where a wooden log is decorated with a face and blanket. Children “feed” the log in the days leading up to Christmas, and on Christmas Eve, they tap it with sticks while singing songs, prompting it to “poop” small gifts and candies.
Missa Do Galo – Portuguese
Approximately pronounced: mee-sah doh gal-oh
Missa do Galo, or “rooster mass,” is a traditional midnight mass celebrated on Christmas Eve in Portuguese-speaking countries. Some say the name refers to the rooster that is said to have crowed on the night of Jesus’ birth. Others claim it’s because you’re “up with the rooster”.
Ressembler à un sapin de Noël – French
Approximately pronounced: rez-om-bleh a un sah-pan duh no-el
If you show up to the work holiday party overdressed, you might be described in France as looking like a Christmas tree – ressembler à un sapin de Noël. This playful phrase highlights the French penchant for chic, understated fashion, even during festive events.
נס גדול היה שם – Hebrew
Approximately pronounced: ness gah-doll hi-yah sham
“Nes gadol haya sham” means “a great miracle happened there.” This phrase is central to the celebration of Hanukkah, commemorating the miracle of the oil that lasted eight days in the ancient Temple of Jerusalem.
بفرح الميلاد وبهجة اللقاء، أتمنى لكم أياماً سعيدة – Arabic
Approximately pronounced: bih-far-ah al-mee-lahd wah bah-jah-t al-lee-kah, ah-tah-manna lah-kum ai-yah-man sa-ee-dah
Translated, this heartfelt phrase means "with the joy of Christmas and the delight of reunion, I wish you happy days." It embodies the warmth and happiness of the festive season, celebrating togetherness and spreading good wishes in the Arabic-speaking world.
Viel Glück und Erfolg im neuen Jahr! – German
Approximately pronounced: feel glook und er-fohlg im no-en yah
To ring in the New Year, Germans say, “Viel Glück und Erfolg im neuen Jahr!” which means “Good luck and success in the new year!” It’s a heartfelt wish for prosperity and happiness in the year to come – something we at Intelligent Editing wish for you all!
Celebrate the Season with PerfectIt
In the same way that these festive sayings enrich our understanding of the world, our own writing can be enriched by attention to detail, consistency, and clarity. PerfectIt is here to help you achieve that.
Whether you’re penning heartfelt holiday messages or crafting end-of-year reports, PerfectIt ensures your writing shines as brightly as the season. From catching inconsistencies to polishing grammar, it’s the perfect elf companion for every writer and editor. May your holidays be filled with warmth, joy, and the perfect turn of phrase.