In 2005, I sensed that journalists in general prefer to call this time of the year in commerce that of “holiday shopping” instead of “Christmas shopping,” but that when it came to people losing their jobs, they preferred to describe layoffs as relating to “Christmas.” My instincts have been proven correct during the past three years.
So did anything change in 2008?
Not that much, but slightly in the secular direction. Here are the overall results of various relevant Google News searches for the past four years (searches have been done three times each year -- just before Thanksgiving, about weeks later, and shortly before Christmas Day; this years Parts 1 and 2 are here and here, respectively; image courtesy of commenter "siouxcityranch" at Dr. BLT's Blog n Roll Studio):
The key numbers are highlighted, and tell us the following:
- (green numbers) In the past three years (2005-2008), "holiday shopping season" has crowded out "Christmas shopping season" by a seven- or eight-to-one ratio. This year was the most extreme, at 8.4:1. My personal experience, which I doubt is unique, is that an obvious majority of people in everyday conversation refer to "Christmas shopping" over "holiday shopping" in a ratio that is about the direct opposite of how the media uses the terms.
- (red numbers) The "layoffs" news is double-edged. The ratio of stories using "Christmas" and "layoffs" has gone down from about triple (35.7 divided by 12.2) to a bit more than double (24.8 divided by 10.6), but the raw number of occurrences of "Christmas" and "layoffs" (16,994) dwarfs the number relating to shopping (5,840) by almost 3:1.
The initial conclusion (slightly paraphrased) from 2005 still holds -- It seems beyond dispute that there is a strong bias against using the word "Christmas" to describe not only the shopping season, as noted above, but also events, parades, and festivals that happen during the Christmas season. There is, however, one notable exception: “Christmas” is a word that is still much more acceptable to use when “Scrooge” employers are letting people go.
Cross-posted at BizzyBlog.com.
—Tom Blumer is president of a training and development company in Mason, Ohio, and is a contributing editor to NewsBusters
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Tom, looks like we are ...
December 23, 2008 - 16:19 ET by SentryDanTom, looks like we are dealing with liberal speak again. Holiday equals good, while Christmas equals bad.
For me, Christmas will always be good, blessed, and just plain wonderful.
So Tom, may you and yours and everyone, have a very Merry and Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Remember folks, Freedom isn't Free. It was bought with the blood and sacrifice of the men and women who are serving and who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
For those who fought for it, Freedom has a flavor that the protected will never know.
Wow, didn't expect that ....
December 23, 2008 - 16:26 ET by Tom Blumer..... But thanks; I appreciate it, and the same to you and yours, SentryDan.
I'll echo: A very Merry and Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.
Holiday = holy day, of
December 23, 2008 - 16:48 ET by vrwc13Holiday = holy day, of which everybodys holidays can be counted.
Christmas = Christ Mass, which is solely a day for celebrating His birth.
“You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name." Exodus 20:7
It's not for me to judge, but The Judge says Himself, He will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His name....don't think I want to be on the other side some day face to face with Him and be known for misusing His name!
v
vrwc13, very well ...
December 23, 2008 - 17:16 ET by SentryDanvrwc13, very well put. However, the secular crowd doesn't look at it the same way you and I do.
I hope you and yours have a very Merry and Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year. Take care and peace.
Remember folks, Freedom isn't Free. It was bought with the blood and sacrifice of the men and women who are serving and who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
For those who fought for it, Freedom has a flavor that the protected will never know.
Interesting stats. The
December 23, 2008 - 18:27 ET by celatorInteresting stats.
The leftists and secularists sure put lots of energy into making "Christmas" the Holiday Without A Name. Saying the word Christmas makes them real quesy. Uncomfortable. Antzy. Nervous.