VOA慢速英语2021--What Does Season’s Greetings Mean?

What Does Season’s Greetings Mean?

Hello! This week we answer a question about a common greeting we hear in December: Season's Greetings.

Question:

Dear VOA,

I hear Americans saying, "Season's Greetings." What does it mean? And how do you write it: "Season's [Season-apostrophe-s] Greetings" or "Seasons' [seasons-apostrophe] Greetings?"

Hussein, India.

Answer:

Dear Hussein,

This expression is very common in the period between Thanksgiving, at the end of November, and New Year's Day, January 1. There are many holidays being celebrated¹ during this time, or season.

Thanksgiving is held on the fourth Thursday in November. Then there is Hannukah, which is part of the Jewish² religion. This year, Hannukah began shortly after Thanksgiving, on November 28.

Christmas is on December 25. Kwanzaa, a yearly³ celebration of African American culture, is held from December 26 to January 1. Lastly, there is New Year's Eve on December 31 and New Year's Day on January 1.

The plural⁴ word "greetings" means a message that expresses good wishes to someone.

When we write cards or letters at this time of year, we try to include as many of our friends' religious, or nonreligious, traditions as possible. So, people may choose to say, "Season's Greetings." You will find the expression on cards, gifts and in outdoor lighting⁵ displays.

A similar expression is "Happy Holidays." That is another way to include people with a variety of traditions in our greetings.

How to write it

Finally, how do you write "Season's Greetings?" It is one season, so the apostrophe goes after the word "season" and before the "s."

The VOA Learning⁶ English team hopes you are able to gather safely with your family and loved ones during this season, as we send you all "Season's Greetings."

What question do you have about American English? Send us an email at [email protected]

And that's Ask a Teacher.

Words in This Story

plural - grammar. relating to a form of a word that refers to more than one person or thin

display – n. an arrangement of objects intended to decorate, advertise, entertain, or inform people about something

1 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

2 Jewish   

adj.犹太人的，犹太民族的

参考例句：

• The coin bears a Jewish symbol.硬币上有犹太标记。
• They were two Jewish kids;I was friendly with both of them.他们是两个犹太小孩；我同他们都很要好。

3 yearly   

adj.每年的，一年一度的；adv.一年一次地

参考例句：

• The flower show is a yearly event in our town.我们镇上的花展一年举行一次。
• The yearly rental of her house is 2400 yuan.她这房子年租金是2400元。

4 plural   

n.复数；复数形式；adj.复数的

参考例句：

• Most plural nouns in English end in's '.英语的复数名词多以s结尾。
• Here you should use plural pronoun.这里你应该用复数代词。

5 lighting   

n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光

参考例句：

• The gas lamp gradually lost ground to electric lighting.煤气灯逐渐为电灯所代替。
• The lighting in that restaurant is soft and romantic.那个餐馆照明柔和而且浪漫。

6 learning   

n.学问，学识，学习；动词learn的现在分词

参考例句：

• When you are learning to ride a bicycle,you often fall off.初学骑自行车时，常会从车上掉下来。
• Learning languages isn't just a matter of remembering words.学习语言不仅仅是记些单词的事。