Okay ….. I’ve got another “Ontarioism”. Last night I heard Pastor Sheilah say, “… on the May 2-4 weekend.” I have never heard the “2-4” phrase before. I’ve heard the third weekend in May called many different things: Victoria Day weekend, May long weekend, May 24th long weekend, but never the “May 2-4” weekend.
How often does Queen Victoria’s birthday (24th) actually fall on the Monday?
When I questioned Pastor Sheilah what she meant by “2-4” (that’s the part I thought was odd) she explained how the long weekend falls on the Monday preceding May 24th.
Just think how confusing it is this year if you said the “May 24th long weekend” because May 24th is a Saturday, but the statutory holiday falls on the weekend before.
I still think saying “2-4” sounds goofy to my ears, but I heard “2-4” being used on the radio this morning!
Can I have a poll please! “May 2-4” is an Ontarioism – Agree or Disagree.
It’s hard to believe that Ontario, with it’s strong roots to the monarchy, would affectionately refer to the May long weekend in the same way many engineers refer to their favourite summertime (or rather anytime) beverage. Of course I am referring to a case of (or rather 2-4) of beer. When I attended university at Queen’s long ago in another galaxy engineers and other sutdents referred to a case of beer as a 2-4, this was the most economical size afterall and would usually last a whole weekend, a long weekend I am not so sure. But I guess with Ontario’s aging population a 2-4 is more appropriate to a long weekend.
For you conspiracy theory advocates maybe it is all a plot by the Beer Stores in Ontario to get the May long weekend renamed in favour of their primary product.
I have lived in 3 other Canadian provinces besides Saskatchewan and Ontario and I can assure you it DOESN’T have this tag line elsewhere.
When I was growing up the Monday of May long weekend was referred to as firecraker day. You could buy all sizes of firecrakers and run around blowing things up or scaring all sorts of unsuspecting people and animales.
Doug is right … the May long weekend has been referred to as the “May 2-4″ since I was in high school, and yup, it’s because of how beer is packaged.
Kristin is also right (did I reeeally just type that?!?) … it does sound goofy, especially when someone over 25 says it!
I’m officially disallusioned! Queen Victoria and beer? This is a sad,sad province.
But when I drove back up from Hamilton I saw the Sleeman’s brewery is right on the highway outside of Guelph. I really wanted to stop – but I really wanted to get home. I like Sleemans!
Who’s Queen Victoria?? (KIDDING!!!!)
I almost forgot to say, “I’m Right!” “I’m Right!” “I’m Right” and Mary finally knows it too!!! YEAH!!!
It’s probably an Ontarionism. I’ve always believed that the unofficial reason it was called 24 weekend was because of the large amounts of alcohol that will doubtless be consumed on campgrounds across the province.
Hello Mike! Glad to see you wading in on the voting. Funny that I really didn’t expect it to be an Ontarioism. I thought it was one of those sayings that I’ve never heard before.
There will be as much consumed “out” of the campgrounds as “in” the campgrounds. In fact, most campgrounds prohibit the use of alcoholic beverages on the May 2-4 weekend.
Only ever heard of 2-4 at a restaurant i.e 2 appies 4 the price of 1. That is a BCism!!
From Denise Berger (nee Soveran)
I have to agree, I heard the term “May 2-4″ for the first time two weeks ago. yet i couldn’t get a definition for the meaning until reading this.
Hi Denise! So great of you to drop in! I hope you visit again soon. I’m sorry that I wasn’t here when you commented.
Beth – I don’t think I know you, but “Welcome!” and thanks for your comment. I hope you drop by again.
Hi all!
I’m 19 and currently a Queen’s student, and “May 2-4″ is definitely an Ontarionism if you ask me. Everyone my age is quite familiar with the term, and it does indeed refer to the long weekend that usually falls around May 24th as a result of Victoria Day. For us teens and university students, it simply means “a day to get drunk and party”, usually at a campsite or cottage, just like “420″ is April 20th, the day to get high. It also most likely originates from the fact that the short term for a 24-pack of beer is “a 2-4″.
How would you use “May 2-4″ in a sentence? Easy: “WOO, it’s May 2-4 weekend, let’s get wasted!” haha
Hello Robyn
Thanks for checking out the site! This topic has produced a wide variety of comments – and I’ve never heard of the “420″ … so much to learn … so little time!