holidays

[juliew]

where does the term, holiday come from

[Postie]

Try Holy Day

[Quizmonster]

As Postie says, the source is 'holy day', because it referred originally to days on which the Church celebrated particular occasions...Easter, Christmas, saints' days etc.

It took on the meaning of "a day/days off work" around 6/700 years ago. Prior to then, the only 'time off work' had been on the Church's holy days, so the meaning just transferred over.

Now, of course, the idea of 'holy' days is one that only the religious among us pay attention to.