"Many Happy Returns" - What does it mean??

[Mendoza]

Today I am celebrating the anniversary of being born, and people have written to me "Many Happy Returns"

I have never written that as it makes me MIFFED, as I dont know what it means.

Is it incorrect etiquette to send just one happy return or is it compulsary to send many??

Are there any kind of "returns" I dont know about? what is involved in a sad return?

 

[Sam]

Apparently

from Wikipedia

Many Happy Returns is a greeting, usually reserved for birthdays.
The term itself refers to the passing 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 on birthdays; prior to the mid 19th century it was used more generally, at any celebratory or festive event.
Current usage is often as a more formal option than 'Happy Birthday'. It is also often to be found on greetings cards.
Its earliest attributable use was by Lady Newdigate in a letter written in 1789 (and published in Newdigate-Newdegate Cheverels in 1898)[1]:
"Many happy returns of ye day to us my Dr Love."

 

[Mendoza]

That still doesnt make sense!

 

[Nibble]

That still doesnt make sense!

It does. If wikipedia is to be believed it means that they hope the happiness of this day returns to you many times.

 

[Sam]

It does. If wikipedia is to be believed it means that they hope the happiness of this day returns to you many times.

correct