Difference Between Holiday and Vacation

In American English, a holiday is a special day like Christmas or Independence day, and a vacation is time off from work when you usually travel. But in British English, the word holiday is used for both these things.

1. Why do British say holiday instead of vacation?
2. Do Canadians holiday or vacation?
3. Have a nice holiday or vacation?
4. How do British say vacation?
5. Why do British people say mum?
6. Why do Brits say go to hospital?
7. Do they say Y all in Canada?
8. What do Canadians call Americans?
9. What is a synonym for having a good holiday?
10. How do you say have a good vacation?
11. When can you start saying Happy Holidays?

Why do British say holiday instead of vacation?

Vacation comes from the French vacances (in French the word is always plural) whereas British English uses a word that derives from Holy Day. Americans use “holiday” to mean an officially recognized day of significance, whether religious or not: Thanksgiving, Christmas, Independence Day (!!), etc.

Do Canadians holiday or vacation?

British and American terms also can coexist in Canadian English to various extents, sometimes with new nuances in meaning; a classic example is holiday (British) often used interchangeably with vacation (American), though, in Canadian speech, the latter can more narrowly mean a trip elsewhere and the former can mean ...

Have a nice holiday or vacation?

The first one, “Hope you have a wonderful holiday,” is correct. When using the plural form, holidays, you leave off the definite article (a or an). These indicate a singular object, and holidays (with an s) is more than one. If I say, “I will have a wonderful holiday.” the a would be understood to mean one holiday.

How do British say vacation?

In Britain we normally talk about a holiday when we take a week or two off work, whereas that's a vacation in American English. Holiday is often used in the plural.

Why do British people say mum?

In British English, it is mostly used as a sign of repect for a woman of superior rank, say, in the military or police. ... In American English the vowel is never reduced and may be used as a polite form of addressing any woman, especially one unknown to the speaker: Excuse me, ma'am, you've dropped your keys.

Why do Brits say go to hospital?

It is not necessary to say "go to the hospital" or "go on the holiday", when talking in a general sense. Use of the word 'the', means that the sentence is in a particular sense. A reference to one, particular example. "go to the hospital" will mean going to one, particular hospital.

Do they say Y all in Canada?

No, “y'all” is not a term Canadians use. We might say “you all”, as in “where are you all going?” but would only use “y'all” when imitating our southern neighbours.

What do Canadians call Americans?

I'm Canadian and I also noticed that most Canadians I know call it “The States” or “The U.S.” as opposed to “America” like others who live outside North America.

What is a synonym for having a good holiday?

The basics

• Merry Christmas.
• Happy Hanukkah.
• Joyous Kwanzaa.
• Yuletide Greetings.
• Happy holidays.
• Joyeux Noël.
• Feliz Navidad.
• Seasons Greetings.

How do you say have a good vacation?

Some Other Message Examples

1. “I wish you a ton of happiness, joy, and fun while you are on vacation! I hope you have a great time!”
2. “Catch you later! ...
3. “Enjoy the rest and downtime! ...
4. “I hope your vacation gives you the pleasure you need so that you don't have to think of any problems back at home. ...
5. “Sit back.

When can you start saying Happy Holidays?

In general, “Happy Holidays” is accepted as the broadest and most inclusive greeting at this time of year. If you know someone celebrates Christmas you can go with “Merry Christmas,” but 'tis the season for interacting with strangers (selling to them, buying from them, bumping into them on your way out of Target).