E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Holiday Speeches
or Words. Fine or well-turned speeches or phrases; complimentary speeches. We have also “holiday manners,” “holiday clothes,” meaning the best we have.
1
“Aye, aye, sir. I know your worship loves no holiday speeches.”—Sir W. Scott: Redgauntlet, chap. iii.
“With many holiday and lady terms
He questioned me.”
Shakespeare: 1 Henry IV., i. 3 (Hotspur’s defence).
