No Such Thing As A 'Belated Birthday'

This short article will explain why there is no such thing as a "Belated Birthday."

We've all heard "Happy Belated Birthday" and probably used it ourselves, but the phrase doesn't make sense.

Birthdays are NEVER belated. It is the greeting that is belated.

Good intentions

When people fail to acknowledge a person's birthday on the exact day, they often try to make up for it by sending a "Happy Belated Birthday" card or telling the recipient "Happy Belated Birthday."

While the intention is good, there is no such thing as a belated birthday. Therefore, all "Happy Belated Birthday" cards should be banned. They should never have been designed and put on the market in the first place. As long as consumers keep purchasing them, the card manufacturers will continue to make them.

The truth of the matter is that it is impossible for someone's birthday to be belated. Everybody's birthday is always on time.

Belated: Definition

According to dictionaries, the word "belated" is an adjective that describes something that is late. The word means coming late or after the expected time. It is another way of saying something was delayed, detained, not on schedule, or not on time. That does not describe anybody's birthday.

Based on the definition, a birthday can't be "late" or "belated." Birthdays are always on time. Therefore, the wording on the card has the adjective in the wrong place. It describes the birthday being late rather than the greeting. Since it was not the birthday that was late, the cards are printed wrong.

The greeting is late

The greeting is late. Birthdays are NEVER late. Birthdays are are ALWAYS on time!

Someone's birthday can't be late. Every birthday is always on time, even if some people don't remember to acknowledge it on the actual date. The greeting is late—not the birthday.

Major greeting card companies such as Hallmark and American Greeting Card have gotten it all wrong. No one has caught on to the inappropriate wording after all these years, and millions of cards have been sold because consumers think the wording is appropriate.

Alternative to sending "Happy Belated Birthday" cards

If you remember someone's birthday after the birthday has passed, you can still send a card with the appropriate wording. There are no such cards available that say it correctly, but you can.

Say, "Belated Happy Birthday" instead of "Happy Belated Birthday" where the adjective is misplaced.

Someone can't go back to the actual date and be happy. However, the person can go forward with good wishes after the birthday has passed if told in the correct way.

Greeting cards and your verbal greetings should have the correct wording. Remember, it is the wish that is belated, not the birthday.

Food for thought

Some people might not agree with the information in this article. That's their right and privilege. However, some people really do want to know the correct way to say things.

Yes, it is a minor thing to consider in the scheme of life's problems, but it is true nonetheless. It seems to be something no one has thought about before. Perhaps they will think about it now.

Related link

There is a correct way to put a greeting card in an envelope, whether it is a birthday card, a get-well card, or any other card.

The Correct Way to Put a Greeting Card in an Envelope (with a video demonstrating how it should be done).

Almost everyone loves getting greeting cards. People also love sending greeting cards. However, many people put their cards in the envelopes the wrong way. Watch the video to see the correct way to do it.