The holiday greeting "Merry Christmas" caused a man to become irate at La Guardia airport on Tuesday.

The unidentified man was escorted off of American Airlines Flight 1140 before the plane left for Dallas.

Reportedly, the ticketholder approached the gate and was told "Merry Christmas" as his boarding pass was checked. The man replied, "You shouldn't say that because not everyone celebrates Christmas."

The attendant asked "Well, what should I say then?"

"Don't say, 'Merry Christmas!'" was the man's reported reply.

When he entered the plane, he was again greeted with "Merry Christmas," and became enraged.

"Don't say, 'Merry Christmas!'" he screamed, and began chastising the pilot and crew members, according to the New York Post.

The man reportedly would not calm down, and was escorted off the plane. It is unclear whether disturbing the peace charges or other violations were incurred. American Airlines has not commented on the incident.

Christmas holds religious significance for many, but the holiday can also include secular items and traditions such as decorating a pine tree and handing out candy canes. The dual significance of the holiday has led to protests and demonstrations across the country as organisations and governments are accused of endorsing Christianity.

Earlier this month, a University of Maine student allegedly complained about Christmas decorations in common areas on campus, leading Auxiliary Services Executive Director Daniel Stirrup to ban any "decoration that could be perceived as religious," including "xmas trees, wreaths, xmas presents, candy canes, etc."

Stirrup encouraged employees to have a more stripped-down approach to decorating.

"What is allowed are winter themes, plain trees without presents underneath, decorative lights, but not on trees, snow flakes [sic], etc.," he wrote.

When word spread on campus about the ban, students were outraged. A Facebook community group, "Bring Back the Cheer to Maine," was formed to protest the university's stance, and has received over 1,200 likes.

"How can we celebrate diversity if we can't even see it? #‎bringbackthecheer," one post read.

The decision was later called a misunderstanding, and the ban was reversed.