I recommend James Taranto's take on some of these issues in the Wall Street Journal - http://online.wsj.com/article/ SB...4528832845.html

Hanukah Same'ah!
Shalom Berger | Homepage | 12.24.08 - 4:45 pm | #

i was always under the impression that "happy holidays" was an originally Christian greeting referring to Christmas and New Years.
Steg (dos iz nit der shteg) | Homepage | 12.24.08 - 11:50 pm | #

The Gemara in Avoda Zarah (2b) speaks of an eight day holiday, Saturnalia, first celebrated by Adam when he noticed that the days had begun to get longer.

The (2b) should be replaced by (8a).
Avram Montag | 12.26.08 - 1:18 am | #

Hanukkah Harry was a Saturday Night Live character; does anyone actually "observe" this?
BZ | Homepage | 12.26.08 - 10:59 am | #

BZ - in lomdishe parlance, it's a siman, not a sibah (i.e., it reflects a trend even if it does not actually contribute to it).
ADDeRabbi | Homepage | 12.27.08 - 4:35 pm | #