many happy returns of the day

many happy returns of the day

I wish you a very happy birthday and many more like it in the future. Hey Jack, many happy returns of the day! Are you going to do anything special to celebrate the occasion?
See also: happy, many, of, return
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • many happy returns
  • the happy day
  • be
  • the disease to please
  • disease to please
  • happy days
  • cut back to
  • cut back to (someone or something)
  • bunny
  • (as) happy as the day is long
References in periodicals archive
The Yiddish blessing Biz a hundert un tsvantsik--"May you reach 120!"--is often used as a birthday wish, like the English "Many happy returns of the day." (The Hebrew equivalent, ad meak v'esrim, though ubiquitous at Israeli birthday celebrations, hasn't caught on as much among American Jews.) Technically, it's a hope that the recipient will be granted the supposedly perfect human lifespan, achieved by Moses and, according to various post-biblical traditions, Rabbi Akiva and/or Rabbi Hillel.
May you reach 120--or at least 40!
On the appointed day, they came, almost 900 wellwishers come to sing Happy Birthday, and pour wishes for many happy returns of the day. He was radiant greeting one and all, a glint of mischief in his eye as he welcomed family, friends, associates and a horde more.
CEBU-CEBU
*** "I hope I am able to get to your party to wish you many happy returns of the day, but if I am not, let this message from a distant past say just this: "I hope we haven't let you down too badly; may you live happily and well with those you love and who love you.
Letters from frontline; 'In war you have to destroy to set free'
The popular musician Mr Rat Scabies is celebrating his 50th birthday today and I think I speak on behalf of the nation when I wish him many, many happy returns of the day. You'll probably remember Rat - he won't mind if I call him that - as drummer in the mildly successful ensemble The Damned which also included amongst its number Captain Sensible.
What's in a name? Paul by another name might still sing as sweet
'Happy birthday and many happy returns of the day and on behalf of my family and the good people of Ekiti State, I wish you many years of fruitful contributions to the growth and development of our dear nation,' he said.
Fayose celebrates Jonathan at 60, mourns Ekwueme
Your Majesty, ensure many happy returns of the day for the Sultanate,
HM The Sultan Receives Greetings Cable from Majlis Shura Chairman on Eid Al Adha