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May Two Four
DCHP-2 (Jun 2013)
Spelling variants:May Two-Four, May two-four, May Two Four
n. — Social customs, slang, often in compounds, such as May Two Four weekend
a nickname for Victoria Day, May 24th, a national holiday in Canada.
Type: 1. Origin — May Two Four is a play on words, referencing a two-four - a case of beer containing 24 bottles - to communicate that beer is heavily consumed on May 24th, a national public holiday commemorating the birthday of Queen Victoria (1837-1901). The term is most prevalent in Canada (see Chart 1). Within Canada, May Two Four is most prevalent in Ontario (see Chart 2), followed by British Columbia. In the other provinces, including British Columbia, the term used most frequently to refer to the May Two Four weekend is the May long weekend.
See also COD-2, s.v. "May Two-Four", which is marked "Cdn".
See also COD-2, s.v. "May Two-Four", which is marked "Cdn".
Quotations
1991
The May "two-four weekend," named after the traditional camper's case of 24 beer, lived up to its name this year in cottage country.
1998
Wiarton OPP supervisors have scheduled the extra staff they'll need to keep the peace as thousands of young people jam Sauble for the May two-four weekend.
2003
If there were an "official" opening for cottage season, it's the so-called May Two Four weekend, nicknamed more for beer packaging than the actual roving date of Victoria Day.
2006
Traditionally, the May two-four weekend has been considered synonymous with the average last frost date, at least in this area. That makes it a safe guide for planting, particularly tender annuals.
2011
Victoria Day long weekend, May long, May two-four or May run.
Call it what you will but across the country Canadians have spent the weekend -- weather permitting -- sitting around campfires and taking care of the obligatory cottage/yard/garage maintenance on this, the first long weekend of the season.
References
- COD-2
Images
Chart 1: Internet Domain Search, 8 Jul. 2013
