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The term “holiday” derives from Old English hāligdæg (“holy day”) and has gradually broadened from a strictly religious observance to any day of rest or celebration, including modern vacations.
- Originates from Old English *hāligdæg* (“holy day”)
- Middle English spelling shifted to *haliday* / *holiday*
- Meaning expanded from religious festivals to secular breaks
- In American English “the holidays” often means the year‑end festive period
- Origin: All models note that “holiday” comes from Old English hāligdæg meaning “holy day.”
- Semantic shift: The term broadened from religious festivals to include secular days off.
- Modern usage: In contemporary English it commonly denotes vacations or the year‑end festive period.
Etymology of holiday
Old English roots
The word holiday comes from the Old English compound hāligdæg – hālig “holy” + dæg “day” 1. In the 10th century it was used to denote days set apart for religious observance, such as feast days and saints’ days 13.
Transition through Middle English
During the Middle English period the spelling evolved to haliday and later holiday. While the core meaning (“holy day”) remained, the term began to be applied more loosely to any special day of celebration or respite 12.
Semantic shift to secular usage
By the early modern era the sense of holiday had broadened considerably. It came to include non‑religious days of rest, such as a day off work, and eventually the modern notion of a vacation or “time off” 14.
Modern usage
- British English: A “holiday” is often a vacation taken away from home.
- American English: “The holidays” commonly refers to the festive season around Christmas and New Year’s 4.
- The word now comfortably covers both religious festivals and secular breaks, reflecting its long‑standing semantic expansion.
Summary
- Origin: Old English hāligdæg (“holy day”) 1.
- Evolution: From strictly religious observances → broader “special day” → modern “vacation” or “time off” 124.
- Current meaning: Any day of celebration, rest, or travel, irrespective of religious significance.
Sources are cited inline above.