ToBE #11 : Do we have leave on 14th January?

Do we have leave on 14th January?
How often have we heard questions like the above? My assumption is, quite often.
Does it sound odd? No, it doesn't, because we are used to it.
Is there something wrong about it? Yes, there is.
What?

Well, let us see in the perspective of the three words : leave, holiday, vacation.

Leave
This is something that is asked for - and granted or refused by your manager. When you want to be absent on a working day, you request leave.

• I would like to take leave on Thursday for a family occasion.

• Danny is on leave today.

You can not be on leave when it is not a working day.

Holiday
Holiday is something declared for everyone. No one needs to apply for it.

• 1st of January is a holiday in our company.

• Republic Day is a public holiday.

Vacation
1. A period of overlapping holidays announced for a group of people. Typically,

• My kid's summer vacation (not summer leave) starts on 25th March.

2. A period of overlapping days of leave taken for purpose of leisure. Typically,

• Nachiket is going on a vacation next week.

(Exception:- The British say, "I will be on a holiday next week.")