Kelly day n. a day off or vacation day taken at a scheduled interval in addition to normal time off or vacation. Also Kelly shift. Etymological Note: It has been claimed as early as 1953 that this term comes from Edward Joseph Kelly, mayor of Chicago from 1933 to 1947. He is said to have put in place a similar plan for firefighters in 1936. An article on the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois web site includes a footnote for an article that may include more information about the origin of the term: “Action of City Council in Chicago Secures New Working Schedule for Fire Fighters,” International Fire Fighter, Washington, D.C., Vol. XIX, No. 6, June 1936, pp. 5-6. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
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