What’s the difference between Merry and Jolly

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-- What’s the difference between Merry and Jolly

Posted by shanny on Dec-13-2007 01:37:

What’s the difference between Merry and Jolly

So what’s the difference between Merry and Jolly you ask?

Are they not but two adjectives meaning the exact same thing?

In the confusing muddled mush that is the English language where there are such sillinesses as silent gh’s stuck in the middle of words, and words that contain no vowels and are then forced to utilize the ridiculous “but sometimes y” rule, do we really need adjectives that mean exactly the same thing? I wish it were that simple.

While on the surface these two adjectives appear to mean the same thing, under further examination they are quite different.

A simple deconstruction of Christmas carols (where the two adjectives became famous) will shed some light on the answer and thus lead us from the dark times we are in now, thinking these two words are twins of one another. This is actually quite far from the truth.

Let’s look at merry.

If you’re anything like me, the words that come to your mind while thinking of the word merry are happy, jubilant and joyful.

And with jolly, my mind is instantly filled with happy, jubilant and joyful thoughts. So where’s the difference?

Let’s look at the carols.

“We wish you a merry Christ-mas”

Focus on what follows the word merry. Christ-mas. A direct reference to Christianity.

“T’is the season to be jolly, fa la la la la. Deck the halls with boughs of holly”

An eruption of singing, followed by instructions to deck something.

How could we be so blinded to only see the happiness of these two words.

One is conservative, and while happy in nature, designed to create a solemn reference to a religious icon.

The second, steeped with a vibrant energy, complete with song and violence.

Never again will I confuse these two “happy” words.

Posted by Silky Johnson on Dec-13-2007 01:43:

About 30 pounds around the waist.

Posted by Nicolas Oliver on Dec-13-2007 01:44:

quote:
Originally posted by jennypie
About 30 pounds around the waist.

LOL

Posted by LKD on Dec-13-2007 01:45:

please tell me thats a copy and paste and not ur own ideology. if its meant to be funny, i'd say u failed.

there IS a difference between the 2 words

Posted by barbina on Dec-13-2007 02:39:

i agree with jenny on this
jolly is for fat men with rosy cheeks
merry is just.. whatever
this thread sucks

Posted by *~LiSa-LoO~* on Dec-13-2007 02:45:

ohhhhhhhh I get it now! Thanks Josh

Posted by FunkyCrew on Dec-13-2007 02:50:

fascinating!

Posted by Ania_xox on Dec-13-2007 03:00:

"merry" comes from the middle english "mirige" - meaning "pleasant"

"jolly" comes from the old french "jolif" - meaning "festive"

Etymological dictionaries are good and don't require extensive analysis of songs

/end thread/

Posted by TheVrk on Dec-13-2007 09:23:

^^

WOOW..ass-kicker

Posted by rabbitjoker on Dec-13-2007 15:42:

Etymology is fun!

Posted by StereoPrincess on Dec-13-2007 16:23:

hmmm.

the difference comes from how drunk you are.