Robins on cards were a joke 150 years ago when postmen wore red tunics and were named after them.
20
'Klaxon' is a name that does not belong to one of Santa's reindeer. A klaxon is actually a powerful electric horn. Its name comes from a German word meaning "shriek".
3
Louis Prang, a Bavarian-born lithographer who came to the USA from Germany in the 19th century, popularized the sending of printed Christmas cards. He invented a way of reproducing color oil paintings
, the "chromolithograph technique", and created a car
, the "chromolithograph technique", and created a car
1
The abbreviation Xmas isn't irreligious. The letter X is a Greek abbreviation for Christ.
273
In Greek legend, malicious creatures called Kallikantzaroi sometimes play troublesome pranks at Christmas time. In order to get rid of them, salt or an old shoe is burnt. The pungent burning stench drives off, or at least helps discourage, the Kallikantza
6
English Puritan leader Oliver Cromwell banned Christmas between 1647 and 1660 because he believed such celebrations were immoral for the holiest day of the year.
26
Gold-wrapped chocolate coins commemorate St Nicholas who gave bags of gold coins to the poor.
196
Although now mostly vegetarian, in Victorian times, mince pies were made with beef and spices.
14