<P> "Many happy returns" is a greeting which is used by some on birthdays, and by others in response to "Merry Christmas" and "Happy New Year". Since the 18th century this has been used as a salutation to offer the hope that a happy day being marked would recur many more times . It is now primarily used, by some, on birthdays . Prior to the mid-19th century, it was used at any celebratory or festive event . The phrase is more common in British English, Indian English, Hiberno English and to some degree in Canadian English than in American English . </P> <P> Current usage is often as a more formal option than "Happy Birthday". It is also often found on greetings cards . </P> <P> Its earliest attributable use was by Lady Newdigate in a letter written in 1789 (and published in Newdigate - Newdegate Cheverels in 1898) </P> <P> Many happy returns of þ day to us my D Love </P>

Where does the saying many happy returns come from
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