What Does PF Stand For and Why Do Czechs Use It?

It’s that time of year when the holiday greetings start rolling in. Whether you work in a Czech office or have Czech friends and family you’ve likely received a card that looks something like this:

The tradition dates back to the 19th century and has historically been linked to Count Karel Chotek (1783-1868 ) who is credited with introducing the phrase to Czech society. The Bohemian nobleman apparently invented this cousin to the Christmas card as a way to politely avoid holiday visits!

As French was commonly spoken among the upper classes during this time period, the linguistic origins of the custom aren’t surprising.

Another explanation for what makes this greeting particularly Czech is its reflection of the country’s growing secularization back then—essentially PF became a non-religious substitute for “Merry Christmas.”

The phrase commonly appears on ornaments and gingerbread creations as well, and despite the rising popularity of video and flash-animation PFs, the print tradition remains strong.

Over 30 million PFs are sent annually according to the Czech Post Office and while many bear the wholesome illustrations of Czech folk artist Josef Lada, a number of graphic designers and artists issue remarkably stylized cards each year.

When is the best time to send yours? Great news for procrastinators: unlike a traditional Christmas card, a PF may be sent during Christmas time, after the holidays just before New Year’s Eve, or a few days after the start of the New Year.

Wherever you source them, make sure to take part in this Czech phenomenon that is celebrated nowhere else on earth—not even, despite its paradoxical name, in France!