If you look at the dictionary definition of the word “gay”, you will most likely to see homosexuality as one of the first meanings of this word. To change it’s meaning isn’t even necessary because it already applies to everyone with the original connotation. So, while everyone deserves to enjoy and celebrate Christmas, the word gay in “Make the Yuletide gay” doesn’t at all pertain to homosexual in meaning. However, that is not appropriate or accurate as it’s changing the intention. Or similarly, using “Make the Yuletide gay” to push their alternative version of the phrase and song. Or alter the meaning as some have proposed.įor instance, there are a couple of holiday movies with ‘gay/homosexual plot lines’ with “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” as either the movie title, movie theme song, or some combination thereof. This isn’t to say we should change the lyrics of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas “, the song written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane for the MGM film with (and sung by) Judy Garland, Meet Me In St. Louis | Warner Archive () There are many beloved recordings of 1944’s “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” from Frank Sinatra to Kelly Clarkson all crooning ‘make the Yuletide gay’. Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas | Meet Me In St. In that regard, let’s take a closer look at what is meant and how to use ‘make the Yuletide gay’. Though ‘Yuletide gay’ is not so common in greetings and goodbyes as many other Christmas sayings today, it’s possible you’ll encounter it at some point, even if it’s just hearing that Judy Garland Christmas song (sung by many others since her 1944 version). Meanwhile, “gay” is actually a traditional term that means happy before it ever was linked with homosexuality. Yuletide is historically a Germanic winter celebration that eventually became synonymous with Christmas. “Make the Yuletide Gay” simply means make the Yuletide season happy. What does “make the Yuletide gay” mean and how is it supposed to be used? The once common “Merry Christmas” is now often replaced with “Happy Holidays” but have you ever heard the saying, “Make the Yuletide Gay”? If not, you’ve probably heard it sung in Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, at the least. When Christmas is fast approaching, we often hear a plethora of greetings and sayings in our day to day activities.

Make the Yuletide Gay by Nicky Spencer