DCHP-3

May long

DCHP-3 (May 2024)

Spelling variants:
May Long, the May Long, the May long

n. Social customs, slang, abbreviation for May long weekend

Victoria Day long weekend; a national statutory holiday around 24 May.

Type: 5. Frequency This term is an abbreviation for what is usually called the May long weekend (see the 1979 quotation) or the Victoria Day long weekend, which is the weekend around May 24th, the birthday of the former Queen of Canada. The 1998 quotation shows the first use, here by a young teenager in poetic form (weekend of May long).
As Chart 1 shows, May long in this meaning is almost exclusive to Canada. The term seems to have been created in the late 1990s, at least in its written form (see the 2010 quotation for predecessor forms).
The term is not listed in COD-2.
The 1979 and 1989 quotations show the form May long weekend that was the predecessor to the rather informal May long, first attested by a 13-year old poet (see the 1998 quotation)

Quotations

1979
The trip straddled the May long weekend but was timed so that we would be deep in the park on the weekend.
1989
"Starting on the May long weekend through to the end of the summer individual police forces across the province will be setting up their RIDE cruisers. The reason for this is simple - this is the time the rate of drinking and driving is at its highest and we are doing everything we can to change this," said Bell.
1998
On the party weekend of May long
The 4-H families went to Suffield
to try and get along!
First we were sweaty
and then we were cold,
We all froze, even the bold!
2007
May long is one of the biggest party weekends of the year, and you can usually expect to see some top DJs in the clubs, but local scratch-aholics are getting a real treat this year.
2010
Victoria Day 2010 Long Weekend Overview Victoria Day is a public holiday observed across Canada on the Monday before May 25th. In 2010, Victoria Day falls on Monday, May 24. Victoria Day celebrates Queen Victoria's birthday (May 24th). Canada is still a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, of which the Queen is head. Victoria Day is always on a Monday, and thus the holiday is part of a long weekend, which is commonly referred to as the Victoria Day Weekend, the May Long Weekend, the May Long, or the May Two-Four (a case of beer there is called a "two-four" and many of these are consumed over the holiday). The weekend is also called the May 24th weekend, although it does not necessarily fall on May 24th.
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.
2015
News for the Dispatch must be in by Thursday at 10:00am as we have a long weekend ahead of us again. Have a safe and happy May long and call me at [xxx-xxxx] with your news items.
2015
May Long ist Tee Time. We need it. By may, we feel we've earned it. In eastern Canada, many know it as "Firecracker Day" or "May Two-Four." For those of us living in western Canada, it's simply "May Long."
2024
Victoria Day (Monday, May 20)
Our advice centres/branches are closed on Victoria Day but our call centre is open to serve you from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.Victoria Day falls on the Monday right before May 25. It is a holiday throughout the country (except in New Brunswick). We observe Victoria Day to honour Queen Victoria’s birthday. She was one of the longest-reigning British monarchs. This day is also one of the oldest non-religious holidays in the country. Fun Fact: Since Victoria Day always falls on a Monday, it creates a long weekend. As a result, many people call it May Long or May Run.

References

  • COD-2
  • OED-3

Images

Chart 1: International Domain Search, 15 May 2015

Chart 1: International Domain Search, 15 May 2015