Day 14 + 1 - Definition of "Holiday"

I would like to take this opportunity to talk about “the true meaning of Christmas”. Ok fine not really. How about “the true meaning of Holiday.” Without getting too deep I figured I’d go straight to the source. With apologies to Merriam and Websters, the mecca of all things definition. Dictionary.com.

Question: Who decides what a word means? And whomever decides doesn't that mean they ultimately control the English language and can do with it as they see fit? Pretty powerful. I digress, see below for a comparison of what Dictionary.com thinks and what I think is...

The Definition of "Holiday"

As Per Dictionary.com:

Holiday (hol·i·day) – noun

1. a day fixed by law or custom on which ordinary business is suspended in commemoration of some event or in honor of some person.

2. any day of exemption from work (distinguished from working day).

3. a time or period of exemption from any requirement, duty, assessment, etc.: New businesses may be granted a one-year tax holiday.

4. a religious feast day; holy day, esp. any of several usually commemorative holy days observed in Judaism.

5. Sometimes, holidays. Chiefly British. a period of cessation from work or one of recreation; vacation.

6. an unintentional gap left on a plated, coated, or painted surface.

As per Yours Truly:

Holiday (str-ess) – adjective, noun

1. a word used to describe a time of the year when you are forced to adhere to scheduling conflicts, awkward embraces and money problems.

2. a time of year when you can take advantage of your employers by not going to work despite the fact you could care less about the holiness of said day.

3. a time or period of exemption from any alcohol limit, type of cocktail, or inhibition, etc:
You’re more than welcome to drink since it’s a holiday.

4. a religious creation; holy day, esp. any of several fabricated and mythological days observed by people of all religions.

5. Sometimes, holidays. Chiefly British. a period of cessation from work or one of recreation; vacation, in order to drink heavily when it’s otherwise frowned upon.

6. an intentional gap in your life caused by excessive drinking and the eventual blackout that occurs.

Happy Holidays