I understand you guys say happy holidays at Christmas. Do you also say "I'm going on holiday to France in the summer"? Or is it always 'I'm going on vacation'?
in the USA, we just say "We're going on vacation." I personally have never heard anyone say happy holidays for the summer
We're all going on a summer holiday, No more working for a... week or two. You started me off. What do the yanks call bank holidays? (days when everything closes, national holidays)?
"Bank Holidays" Lol. I've heard that term, and I'm still so confused by how it works. We say vacation, usually. As, you're taking a vacation. It doesn't really make sense to say holiday, because a holiday, is like christmas day? or new years day? or...the 4th of july? easter sunday? etc. I would never say happy holidays for the summer. People would laugh at me (here) Lol.
Bank holidays are holidays when the banks are closed usually meaning federal holidays. Things like Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Years, 4th of July etc. are bank holidays. Other days like Veterans day, Labor Day are days when some stores close for the day but not all and not the banks.
If it's a holiday on the calendar, we call it a holiday! If we're getting a break and going on a trip it's a vacation! GOD I NEED ONE!
I know people who use both terms. I think it depends on where you grew up and the origin of your family. I think vacation is more typical, though.
In UK, the word vacation is never used. Summer holidays (when schools break up for summer, so like spring break?), bank holidays and 'going on holiday' is all there is.