'Happy Belated Birthday'?!

[Mehrgan]

Hi all,
Shouldn't it be 'Belated Happy Birthday' as in 'I wish U a ...'?

When I first got it from a friend I had the feeling as if my birthday had been postponed or something!

I'd be grateful if you could help me with this!

Thanks!

[5jj]

I agree with you - unless you had decided to hold your birthday celebration some time after the official date.

[Mehrgan]

I agree with you - unless you had decided to hold your birthday celebration some time after the official date.

As helpful as ever! Thanks! :)

So, would it be alright to say, 'I wish you a belated Happy Birthday!'?




Cheers!

[5jj]

Yes

[Tdol]

I looked on the web and some sites are using Happy Belated Birthday. I agree with Fivejedjon's idea, but it would sound strange to me in other contexts.

[BobK]

Some printed cards avoid the problem by saying 'Belated birthday wishes/greetings...<some noun>'.

b

[Shawnansan]

Hello Mehrgan
To be honest, we mostly use I wish you a belated happy birthday as a kind of joke. For example, if I forgot to wish you a happy birthday on your birthday then I would say “I wish you a belated happy birthday”.