Bank Holidays

[stuey]

Do you have names for your bank holidays, but just don't bother to use them and just refer to them all as "bank holidays"? For example, in Canada, we had a holiday last weekend called Victoria Day, and the States have a holiday tomorrow called Memorial Day.

[woofgang]

well the "traditional" ones are called by name eg Mayday, Christmas, Easter. This weekend used to be called Whitsun and was a church based holiday but that name seems to have fallen out of favour because properly Whit Sunday is the 50th day after easter so it moves around. The August Bank Holiday has always been called the August Bank Holiday but it used to be at the beginning of August.

[bookbinder]

Here's a list of UK bank holidays, stuey:
https://www.gov.uk/bank-holidays
I think that most people over here don't make a point of specifying which bank holiday they might be speaking of. It's probably a case of, "Oh, it's bank holiday weekend next week." Official notices might refer to a specific bank holiday, but, generally speaking, the ordinary Joe isn't much bothered about the actual definition.

[stuey]

OK, thanks, So just the "traditional" ones have names. In Scotland, are they called "bank and brae" holidays?...Alright, I'll close the door on me way out:)

[bookbinder]

Don't ring us, we'll ring you.

[Psybbo]

Well, to the ordinary Joe in Northern Ireland, they are known as the glorious 12th an 13th (July) and, of course, St. Patrick's Day. The others are just Bank Holidays

[stuey]

Is St Patrick's day an actual holiday in NI?

[Psybbo]

Yes Stuey, a bank holiday, maybe to even things up

[mikey4444]

Stuey....Do they celebrate the 26th December as Boxing Day in Canada ?

I know they don't south of you ! But I think you do celebrate Thanksgiving too ?

I was at the Grand Canyon about 20 years ago, and my Hotel was full of Mexicans who were celebrating Thanksgivings. I couldn't see why they were having Thanksgiving, when it is essentially an American thing.

[stuey]

Yes, we recognize Boxing Day as a holiday.

[mikey4444]

But do you call it Boxing Day stuey ?

[stuey]

Also Thanksgiving Day, but on a different date.

[stuey]

Yes, we call it Boxing Day; however, as you stated, our downstairs neighbours don't have that holiday.

[mikey4444]

Yes, in October, if my memory serves me correctly. But do you celebrate it for the same reasons that the Yanks do, ie to celebrate the first harvest after the Pilgrim fathers arrived ?

[stuey]

Some information here, mikey: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving_%28Canada%29

[mikey4444]

Thanks stuey !

[murraymints]

Scotland had Victoria day last weekend too..well Edinburgh did !