Why is everyone referring to "Santa"

[WinWinnieTheWay]

DH and I (from different UK countries and different social class) were both brought up with Father Christmas. Why are so many people calling FC "Santa" these days? Is it just the impact of American culture? Each to their own, but I don't like it.

Oh this thread is torture.

English people. English people. Stop trying to be posher than you are by announcing to the world that you say children not kids. Father Christmas not Santa.

The empire has gone. You don't get to define class anymore. Other nations either have their own markers or have decided to reject English markers of class or they don't care

You’re reading “Father Christmas is English” the wrong way @Antirrhinum. The Scots are not saying that all English people say “Father Christmas”; they are saying that the only people whom they have heard saying “Father Christmas” have been English people.

Another one saying Father Christmas is English. This is getting as ridiculous as the generalisation that Santa is American

What?

If something is from a part of England, it is English.

There are many Scottish words that are regional - but they are still undoubtedly Scottish. Like 'wain' (mainly used in the West of Scotland) and 'quine' (mainly used in Aberdeenshire).

You know when Scotland/Ireland/Wales complain about the loss of their language to the English...this is the same.

Umm... very much no! It’s not the same. Do you know any history?

Always been Santa in Scotland.

Call him whatever you want but there is mention of Santa Clause in english newspaper advertising since around the 1850's so its not a new import from the US.

And it would be a bit hypocritical to look down on the term "Santa" because is American but be okay with the red suite, the sleigh, the reindeer, the north pole. It's all American.

If you want an English Father Christmas then think of the Ghost of Christmas Present in a Christmas Carol. Thats the real English Father Christmas (the spirit of Christmas) or an old man with a crown of holly.

There is more to the world than the U parts of Englandshire.

And not all sayings and words and traditions come from America via the tellybox.

@CheetasOnFajitas

You’re reading “Father Christmas is English” the wrong way *@Antirrhinum*. The Scots are not saying that all English people say “Father Christmas”; they are saying that the only people whom they have heard saying “Father Christmas” have been English people.

Fair enough, Cheetas. I certainly understand why the Scots and Irish get riled up by this bollocks

Pretty sure the Santa Claus is horrid poster was taking the piss

I totally get why you would think so but I fear you are mistaken.

It’s Saint Nicholas, surely?

I’ve always called him Santa. I did hear a lady refer to him as Christmas Dad today (English wasn’t her first language and she was trying to say Father Christmas) and that is what I shall be calling him from now on

@TheYearOfSmallThings

Pretty sure the Santa Claus is horrid poster was taking the piss

I totally get why you would think so but I fear you are mistaken.

Yes you’re mistaken. I do think the term Santa Claus is horrible compared to Father Christmas.

It sucks when your attempt to class signal backfires.

@choli

It sucks when your attempt to class signal backfires.

And you also genuinely refer to him as St Nicholas @CherryPavlova? Course you do.
And you have switched to “horrible” now...forgot to go full Enid Blyton this time.

I am very fond of the Finnish name for the St Nicholas which given he lives in lapland probably should be used far more often and is probably the name he uses whilst at home with his mrs.

Its "Joulupukki" and it means "Yule Goat".

@Wobblysausage

I’ve always called him Santa. I did hear a lady refer to him as Christmas Dad today (English wasn’t her first language and she was trying to say Father Christmas) and that is what I shall be calling him from now on

I love this!

@RedToothBrush

I am very fond of the Finnish name for the St Nicholas which given he lives in lapland probably should be used far more often and is probably the name he uses whilst at home with his mrs.

Its "Joulupukki" and it means "Yule Goat".

@RedToothBrush wins the thread.

When I grew up, nobody said 'horrid' either, other than George, Dick, Julian and Anne. I can't even include Timmy!

I do wonder why people think it so acceptable to negatively judge language that is popularly used in large regions of the UK. I love regional language, it is so much more interesting than if we all spoke the same. Which seems to be what some people would prefer, sadly.