Happy New Year!

[conuly]

Question. Why do we say "Happy NEW Year"? Why don't we say "Happy New YEAR"? The first sounds like "happy holiday", the second like "happy year", doesn't it?

Comments

[moggymania.livejournal.com]

AFAIK I pronounce the first word with the syllables exaggerated, then extend the vowels equally in both the second and third words:
"Hap-py Neeeew Yeeeeaaaaar!"

(I'm fairly sure my way is also how people do it where I live, too, but I could be wrong.)