Watch: Jill Biden 'schooled' as she wishes kids 'happy holidays' at White House

US First Lady Jill Biden got "schooled" by a kid at White House toy drive event as she wished "Happy Holidays" to the children.

“Hello! How are you? Hi! Happy Holidays,” the 73-year-old said.

Almost in an authoritative tone and a prompt response, a kid shouted back "Happy Christmas".

The First Lady, amused by the children's reaction to her festive greeting, responded with a smile, saying, "Happy Christmas, yes."

What is 'Happy Holidays' & 'Merry Christmas' debate?

The tradition of using "Merry Christmas" has become increasingly divisive in recent years, reflecting deeper ideological, generational, geographic, and gender-based differences. The choice between "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Holidays" often depends on political and demographic factors.

A significant political divide on the issue was highlighted in a 2016 Public Religion Research Institute survey, which found that 67% of Republicans opposed businesses using "Happy Holidays" or "Season’s Greetings" instead of "Merry Christmas" out of respect for other faiths, while 66% of Democrats supported the shift, NBC News reported.

What is the history of these terms?

Both "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Holidays" have religious origins, with "Christmas" derived from the Old English "Cristes Maesse" (Mass of Christ) and "holiday" evolving from the medieval "haliday," meaning holy day.

An investigation by historian Jeremy Aldrich found that "Happy Holidays" was first used as a seasonal greeting in 1863 in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

By the mid-20th century, the phrase became widely popular, evidenced by ads from the RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company between 1935 and 1942, which used "Happy Holidays" alongside Christmas symbols like Santa and reindeer, History reported.