many happy returns

Idioms and Phrases

Also, many happy returns of the day . Happy birthday and many more of them, as in I came by to wish you many happy returns . This expression was first recorded in a letter of 1779 where the writer meant “Happy New Year,” but the present meaning has persisted since the second half of the 1800s.

Example Sentences

Across the top of the large mirror he saw "Welcome," in letters of evergreen, and a chorus of "Many happy returns!"

From Project Gutenberg

Many happy returns of the day to you—(it was the first of the new year)—I never spent so miserable a one.

From Project Gutenberg

I suppose we are both getting too old to care about being wished many happy returns of the day.

From Project Gutenberg

I am wishing Margaret many happy returns of this day, and am making a picture of you all keeping the little fte.

From Project Gutenberg

I have a chance of sending this to England to be posted, so I must send you a line to wish you many happy returns of the day.

From Project Gutenberg