English

Noun

many happy returns

1. (idiomatic) A greeting, usually for birthdays, in reference to the passing year; Happy birthday!

   The earliest attributable use was by Lady Newdigate in a letter written in 1789 (and published in Newdigate-Newdegate Cheverels in 1898)^[1]:

   Many happy returns of ye day to us my Dr Love.

Translations

References

1. ↑ http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/244300.html