OT: "holiday"- the use of this word by Americans

legacy-Captain Pugwash · 09-29-2003, 08:11 AM

I get annoyed by the way americans use this word "holiday", I'm sorry but I just do.

In the United States legal holidays, so called, are determined by law, commonly by the statutes of the several States. The holidays most generally observed are: the 22d day of February (Washington's birthday), the 30th day of May (Memorial day), the 4th day of July (Independence day), the 25th day of December (Christmas day). In most of the States the 1st day of January is a holiday

Holidays come throughout the year, so why refer to Christmas as "the holidays", its stupid.

**legacy-DeathGoblinX** · 09-29-2003, 08:23 AM

Wayyyyy OT I hope you get some WL points.

**legacy-LeJimster** · 09-29-2003, 08:23 AM

because they call them vacations :P

**legacy-information21** · 09-29-2003, 08:23 AM

In the US, Christmas is probably the biggest holiday. Behind that, most likely Thanksgiving. They both occur within a month or so of each other. The time around those two major holidays is known as 'the holidays'.

**legacy-Morba** · 09-29-2003, 09:20 AM

Originally posted by Captain Pugwash
I get annoyed by the way americans use this word "holiday", I'm sorry but I just do.

Holidays come throughout the year, so why refer to Christmas as "the holidays", its stupid.

Its a public holiday period thats why. Nowadays more companies work thro the period, however quite a few still close for the xmas "holiday" period.

**legacy-Morba** · 09-29-2003, 09:21 AM

Originally posted by LeJimster
because they call them vacations :P

i think days off work are classed as holidays, and days away from home are classed as vacations, as they vacate their home area.

tho im sure some american will tell me different!

**legacy-Resurrecter** · 09-29-2003, 09:25 AM

Originally posted by information21
In the US, Christmas is probably the biggest holiday. Behind that, most likely Thanksgiving. They both occur within a month or so of each other. The time around those two major holidays is known as 'the holidays'.

Dude you forgot about New Years holiday :up:

**legacy-information21** · 09-29-2003, 09:30 AM

Originally posted by Resurrecter
Dude you forgot about New Years holiday :up:

Damn, my bad. That's 3 major holidays in less than 2 months. NTM kwanzaa, chanukah, etc. etc. ... :bulb:

**legacy-CaptainZap** · 09-29-2003, 10:14 AM

Someone forgot "Groundhog's Day"

**legacy-Dark_Spectre** · 09-29-2003, 11:18 AM

Originally posted by Captain Pugwash
I get annoyed by the way americans use this word "holiday", I'm sorry but I just do.

Holidays come throughout the year, so why refer to Christmas as "the holidays", its stupid.

Because it's the major holiday season of the year. No one really cares about the other ones.

**legacy-X0n3r0g** · 09-29-2003, 11:23 AM

Originally posted by Captain Pugwash
I get annoyed by the way americans use this word "holiday", I'm sorry but I just do.

Holidays come throughout the year, so why refer to Christmas as "the holidays", its stupid.

Once again someone stereotypes an entire country. I have never heard of Christmas being referred to as the Holidays as there is only one holiday at Christmas. The Holidays we refer to are Thanksgiving through New Years. Why? because they are close together and matter the most. You are all jealous because you dont have Thanksgiving:haha: :haha: No one pluralizes one day. That is stupid to even suggest :down: :haha:

**Plumb_Drumb** · 09-29-2003, 12:30 PM

Originally posted by Captain Pugwash
...its stupid. [/B]

it's = Captain Pugwash

**legacy-Jack_Bauer** · 09-29-2003, 12:48 PM

eh?
i thought it was because people were being Politically Correct, because christmas isnt celebrated by jewish etc so they didnt want to offend people

**legacy-STANGFRIIK** · 09-29-2003, 01:32 PM

Originally posted by Jack_Bauer
eh?
i thought it was because people were being Politically Correct, because christmas isnt celebrated by jewish etc so they didnt want to offend people

Exactly. It's a way to still be polite whatever the persons religious backround may be.

**legacy-JavaGuy** · 09-29-2003, 01:47 PM

Originally posted by Captain Pugwash
I get annoyed by the way americans use this word "holiday", I'm sorry but I just do.

I get annoyed by dumbasses who creat stupid threads designed to start an international flamewar. I'm sorry but I just do.

**legacy-Resurrecter** · 09-29-2003, 02:54 PM

Originally posted by JavaGuy
I get annoyed by dumbasses who creat stupid threads designed to start an international flamewar. I'm sorry but I just do.

Holidays are just around teh corner...cheer up m8

**legacy-Coolreject** · 09-29-2003, 03:06 PM

It's not just Christmas. A whole bunch of religons have major holidays around that time of the year.

**legacy-RetodonIIX** · 09-29-2003, 04:13 PM

Washington's birthday is a holy day?
Why???

Uhm, anyway, yes, way off-topic this thread!

**legacy-woohah** · 09-29-2003, 05:40 PM

lol

it's because Thanksgiving, Christmas, Chanukah, Kwaanza and New Years are all squished together relatively close to each other

and since you can't be sure which the person you're talking to celebrates you say 'happy holdays' instead of a specific one

i'm not sure where you're from but it would appear to be somewhere that lacks diversity

**legacy-X0n3r0g** · 09-29-2003, 05:42 PM

Originally posted by woohah

i'm not sure where you're from but it would appear to be somewhere that lacks diversity

That would be Poland.

**legacy-MikeSobe** · 09-29-2003, 05:48 PM

this is so random dude... BTW that list is no relection of what "americans" consider Holidays.

To me a "holiday" is

A: Any day you get off school or work.

B: Anyday that you get together with family for a special ocassion yearly.

C: Anyday that you have special food for (this pretty much sums up them all)