What’s the story with Happy Holidays? I’m a Brit in LA and we always say happy christmas or merry xmas over there…
It’s a politically correct seasonal wish to use in a general manner, so as not to offend someone who may not celebrate Christmas specifically.
I feel as if I just took some bait…
I think the difference is that to a Brit the term “holiday” refers to any vacation, and not specifically to Christmas.
Thus you get “holiday resorts”, “holiday airlines” and holiday makers".
It can also be used to indicate general well wishes that all the holidays are happy, whether that’s Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years or Hanukkah, Ramadan, Winter Solstice, Boxing Day etc. I don’t have to know or ask which holidays you’re celebrating, just a one size fits all general wish that you’re happy celebrating them.
Know that part in the movie Truman where Jim Carrey’s character wishes his neighbor a good morning, then adds good afternoon and good night too; in case I don’t see you later? It’s kinda like that.
Oh, well, in that case, yes. In the US, holiday is a word used for a day or days recognized as something to remember or celebrate.