Dictionary

unbirthday en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio
• /ʌnˈbɝθ.deɪ/ (General-American)
• /ʌnˈbɜːθ.deɪ/ (Received-Pronunciation)

Etymology

From un- + birthday, coined by English writer Lewis Carroll (1832–1898) in Through the Looking-Glass (1871).

Meanings

1. A day that is not one's birthday but is celebrated as though it were.
   • Make an unbirthday cake and wear party hats when you blow out the candles together. 2006, Sheila Ellison, 365 Games Smart Toddlers Play: Creative Time to Imagine, Grow and Learn:
   • Hunting for treasures on any special day (like Easter, Christmas, birthdays or unbirthdays) can be fun for children and parents alike. 1995, Terry Orlick, Nice on My Feelings: Nurturing the Best in Children and Parents:
   • "They gave it me," Humpty Dumpty continued thoughtfully, as he crossed one knee over the other and clasped his hands round it, "they gave it me⸺for an un-birthday present." / "I beg your pardon?" Alice said with a puzzled air." / "I'm not offended," said Humpty Dumpty. / "I mean, what is an un-birthday present?" / "A present given when it isn't your birthday, of course." 1871 December 27 (indicated as 1872), Lewis Carroll [pseudonym; Charles Lutwidge Dodgson], “Humpty Dumpty”, in Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There, London: Macmillan and Co., →OCLC, pages 121–122:
   • I got some great photos with the unbirthday camera you left for me in the suitcase. Thanks. 2007, Lisa Samson, Quaker Summer:
   • "This is just an unbirthday party. Wait till you see your birthday party. When is your birthday, Peg?" 2008, Eleanor Hoyt Brainerd, Pegeen:
   • Another way to look at unbirthdays is as an opportunity to celebrate every day of life. You can throw a party for no particular reason, except for FUN! 1998, Alison Molinare Boteler, Matthew Klein, The Disney Party Handbook: 14 Fun Filled Parties:

Forms

Translations (9)

ru день нерожде́ния (Translations) · de Nichtgeburtstag (Translations) · nl onverjaardag (Translations) · it non compleanno (Translations) · ca no aniversari (Translations) · fr non-anniversaire (Translations) · es no cumpleaños (Translations) · ro neaniversare (Translations) · pt desaniversário (Translations)

wikipedia: Lewis Carroll · wikipedia: Through the Looking-Glass