Quizzes & Puzzles4 mins ago
Christmas Round Robins
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.I hate them. I also hate Christmas cards printed with the sender's name. I don't even like computer-printed address labels on the envelopes. A Christmas card should be hand written to show you care. Otherwise it's too obviously a conveyor belt thing.
Mind you, I'm an OAP, so what do I know about today's acceptable behaviour?
Here's what www.word-detective.com has to say about the origin of the term ROUND ROBIN:
" The phrase actually has nothing whatever to do with a bird, robin or any other kind. "Robin" in this phrase is a corruption of the French "ruban," meaning "ribbon."... It seems that in 17th and 18th century France, there was a good deal for the average peasant to complain about, but complaining to the King in particular was not a terribly good idea. The monarch's usual reaction to a petition from his subjects was to seize the first two or three signers and have them beheaded. Not wishing to lose their heads, but bent nonetheless on petitioning for justice, clever peasants came up with the expedient of signing their names on the petition in a circle, like a ribbon. That way, no one's name came "first," and, assuming that there were hundreds of signatures on the petition, it was impractical for the King to punish all the signers. A similar method was adopted by disgruntled sailors in the 18th century British Royal Navy, another institution not known for welcoming criticism. Sailors often signed their names to a petition like the spokes of a wheel, so that no one of them could be considered the leader of a mutiny and hanged. Today we use "round robin" to describe any event, most often a sporting event of some kind, where everyone takes a turn."
I guess it started being used for "circular" letters because of the "round" thing -- not because everyone's participating.
Good Heavens! What a bad-tempered, miserable crowd you are!
I am 65 years old and find it easier to keep a note of all the good, bad, interesting, happy and sad things that happen in my life all year. Then, early in December, I collate the information and turn it into a newsletter. I include pictures from holidays and any family occasions, and make the letter as 'newsy' as possible. I then send it to distant friends I don't see very often, and family members who look forward to my news. I get similar letters back from family and friends and we all enjoy catching up with the happenings of our lives. This year I received two Christmas cards in November asking when the senders could expect my letter which they were looking forward to very much!
Cheer up, people, and remember, some folk love to get letters, especially at Christmas.
Happy New Year, and lots of letter writing!