APAD: Hippo Birdie Two Ewes

Meaning:

    A funny way of saying `Happy birthday to you'.

 

Background:

    The phrase `hippo birdie two ewes' became a popular way to wish someone

    happy birthday.

 

    The exact origin of the phrase is unclear, but it gained popularity through

    a greeting card designed by Sandra Boynton, an American songwriter,

    director, and author. Boynton is known for her whimsical animal characters,

    and her greeting cards have been widely distributed and loved by many for

    their clever wordplay and delightful illustrations.

 

- www.phrases.org.uk [edited]                      

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To my friend L, who reached 65 on Wednesday Sep 25.

 

The day before volunteering at the Vacville state prison at the end of May, he

called around: "Just in case something happens to me." A couple of weeks later,

he replied to my Father's Day greeting. So he lived.

  

We don't meet face-to-face as often as we used to. Back in 2020, he and his

youngest son Stefan, neither looking like the typical runner, led me in almost

all my long runs, including my only 50K race. The last time I shook his hand was

a year ago after he came back from Madeira.

      

So Monday noon in front the Starbucks in Santa Clara Square, as he drew closer

from the parking lot, I noticed right away my friend lost some weight and looked

sharper.

        

"I lift weight twice a week and lately amped up my running" he smiled. "I have

something coming next year."

      

"Oh God. Here comes the bragging," I ribbed him. If he had to prepare a year

ahead, it got to be some insane distance.

 

Despite some ringing in the ears and a slight sciatic nerve pinch that led to

numbness in one foot, he felt great, he said. He was still doing 100K races

regularly. I could easily picture him one of those marathoning centenarians. So

many happy returns of the day!