Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[amahmood]

Hi

I always thought that "bank holiday" is every monday when it is the first of month. Apparently it is not true. Then what is a bank holiday?
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[iitimone7]

US banks are closed for every holiday on the calendar, much like the US postal service. a bank holiday would mean that someone is taking a holiday because the banks do.

the other thing that i just thought of...instead of taking a day off of work every time there is a holiday (and get paid for it), you can save all of your holidays to take in one week, like an extra week of vacation. this would be called banking your holidays.

iitimone7

[advoca]

British bank holidays have been recognized since 1871. The name Bank Holiday comes from the time when Banks were shut and so no trading could take place. Even though Banks are still closed on these days many shops now remain open.

In England and Wales there are six bank holidays: New Year's Day, Easter Monday, May Day (not necessarily 1 May), Spring and Late Summer Holidays at the end of May and August respectively, and Boxing Day. There are also two common law holidays on Good Friday and Christmas Day.

In Northern Ireland there are seven bank holidays: New Year's Day, St. Patrick's Day (17 March), Easter Monday, May Day (not necessarily 1 May), Spring and Late Summer Holidays at the end of May and August respectively, and Boxing Day. There are also two common law holidays on Good Friday and Christmas Day and a public holiday on the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne (12 July).

Scotland has nine public holidays: New Year's Day, January 2, Good Friday, Easter Monday, May Day (not necessarily 1 May), Spring and Summer Holidays at the end of May and the beginning of August respectively, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.