By Nick Norlen, Senior Editor
“Happy Monday!” Do you cringe a little every time someone says this or, worse, you find yourself saying it?
“Happy” indicates celebration, right? “Happy Birthday!” “Happy New Year!” “Happy Friday!” These all make sense. But “Happy Monday”? Slow down, Captain Positive. For many of us, Monday morning begins a Monday mourning the end of Sunday Funday.
Here at Dictionary.com, we prefer to observe, record, and explain how language is used out in the wild, without tipping the scale one way or the other to influence the popularity of a particular expression. But some cases call for more direct intervention.
We asked our team for suggestions for an alternative to “Happy Monday”—something you might say at the beginning of a Monday meeting, for example.
They delivered a mix of serious and silly.
“Here we are again.”
—Mariel J., Research Editor
Mariel says: “It acknowledges we’ve done this many, many times already. I’ve probably done some cheesy variation of this because it applies to pretty much any regular meeting (not just Mondays).”
“You don’t hate Mondays. You hate your job.”
—Karim M., Senior Software Engineer
Karim says: “Someone in leadership is going to see my name and be like, ‘Tell us how you really feel.’ lol”
Just to be clear, Karim wants you to know he didn’t make this up himself (online usage dates back to at least 2013) but suggested it only for the purpose of lexicographical thoroughness in Monday expression research. We all believe you, Karim (but have also noticed you haven’t been prompt in filing your TPS reports. Let’s set up some time Friday afternoon to discuss).
“Monday peaked in the ’80s.”
—Jay L., Director of Strategy and Analytics
Of course Jay brought data to the word party—with this Google Ngram chart showing how usage of the word Monday seemingly spiked in published writings during the ’80s for some reason (we can only assume it’s Garfield-related).
But Jay’s summary of his findings doubles as the perfect burn for everyone’s least favorite weekday. (We say something similar about our competitors, but we mean the 1880s. JK, M-W, JK! XOXO)
“The week’s welcome mat”
—Allison T., VP of Product
Always focused on multifunctionality, Allison suggested a loaded alternative term for Monday that can be incorporated into different custom greetings, such as:
- “We’ve arrived at the week’s welcome mat—now let’s walk through that door.”
or
- “Let’s all wipe our feet on the week’s welcome mat.”
Either that or she was suggesting a different greeting altogether, directed at a person named Mat as an example of how to say it: “The week’s welcome, Mat!”
“Buckle up!”
—Heather B., Lexicographer
Heather says: “Spontaneous comment from my husband this morning when Wordle took me 6/6: ‘Oof, Monday’s comin’ atcha hard. Buckle up!’ So maybe some version of “Buckle up!” or “Strap in!” is appropriate as one faces The Monday.”
Lol, Heather called it The Monday like it’s the flu or something (she’s not wrong!). Feel free to take comfort in the fact that a lexicographer has bad Wordle days, too.
“Let’s get this bread.”
—Heena N., Senior Software Engineer (and notorious bread-getter)
Heena says: “What motivates and energizes people more on a Monday morning than making some money?”
Is that a rhetorical question, Heena? Because the answer to what motivates people on Monday morning is bagels. Oh! Now we get it—you’re saying that what motivates people is actual bread. We like it: Ambitious. Aspirational. Carb-forward. (And, for the record, Heena has never had a bad Wordle day.)
[nothing]
—Alya H., Content Editor
Alya says: “I don’t wish anyone anything on Mondays. Except that it’s over quickly.”
Completely unrelated fact: Alya can often be seen drinking from an Eeyore mug. (We don’t know which is hotter—her tea or her takes!)
“Happy Monday!”
—Randy C., Associate Director, Ad Yield (and resident sarcasm-lined optimist)
Randy says: “‘Happy Monday’ is so succinct. Rich with meaning; sarcasm with a lining of optimism. Hard to beat.”
OK, Randy, we get what you’re saying. Maybe “Happy Monday” truly is the perfect way of subtly expressing how we really feel about the day and showing solidarity with one another (without going full Karim).
Furthermore, Senior DevOps Engineer Rob R. reminds us that there’s another thing to consider: “What if you’re one of the rare few whose workweek ends on Sunday? ‘Happy Monday’ takes on a whole new meaning!”
Good point, Rob, but here’s the irony: If you’ve got Monday off, you probably don’t have occasion to say “Happy Monday” to anyone or experience it being said to you. (I think we can all agree that it should never be said to someone who’s working by someone who’s not.)
Haven’t found your new go-to Monday expression yet? Here are a few more suggestions to round out your options.
Enjoying these phrases? Have the most fun you’ve ever had with a Monday by taking our short quiz!
“Top of the week to you!”
A version of the St. Patrick’s day staple “top o’ the mornin’,” this one is already in modest circulation. It’s neutral enough to be given different flavors depending on the mood. Try it upbeat (“Top of the week to you!”), or more ominous (“Top of the week. Here we go.”), or paired with other suggestions (“Top of the week to y’all—buckle up and let’s get this bread!”).
“Merry Moon Day!”
Yes, that’s really where Monday’s name comes from.
“Monpy Hapday!”
Sure to catch on among the “Happy Hump Day” set and spoonerism aficionados (a circular Venn diagram, no doubt).
“¡Feliz Lunes!”
The Spanish equivalent of “Happy Monday” just sounds more festive.
“Four days to Friday!”
It makes it seem so achievable!
“Don’t hate the Monday, hate the mundane.”
Mondays gonna Monday.
“A joyous Taco Tuesday Eve to those who celebrate!”
🌮🌮🌮
“Long live the weekend.”
As we look back with wistfulness, we look forward with hope.
“What day is it?”
Functional, relatable, and evergreen.
Try out all of these suggestions and see which one sticks! Your coworkers will LOVE you for it!
