Letter to the Editor, Dec. 17, 2019: Did Franklin have answer for seasonal greetings? – Richmond.com

Did Franklin have answer

for seasonal greetings?

Words of wisdom were in the recent Take It From The Tinkersons comic strip. In the first frame, two children are walking along the sidewalk and the girl comments, Saying Merry Christmas offends people who dont celebrate Christmas. The second frame continues with the boys reply, Really? Then just say Happy Holidays. In the next frame, she responds, Well, Happy Holidays offends the people who celebrate Christmas. In the final frame, the boy says, Wow. Adults ruin everything.

I think we all can agree with the kids in the comic strip. However, there might be a solution in an 1839 edition of a small book containing essays and letters by Ben Franklin. The book was found in a sale at the old Petersburg Library perhaps 50 years ago and, as I recall, sold for less than one dollar. Once in a while when bored, I read an essay or two.

Franklins unedited writings often include unfamiliar, obsolete words and ancient spelling. One observation that stuck in my head was his spelling of holiday. Franklin spelled it holyday. If nervous retailers and purveyors of anti-Christmas political correctness would consent to using Franklins all-inclusive spelling, the problem is solved. For his holyday spelling is applicable to both Christian and non-Christian religious observances. Happy Holydays!

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Letter to the Editor, Dec. 17, 2019: Did Franklin have answer for seasonal greetings? - Richmond.com