Initially I thought it was in relation to Mummers (an old english tradition of blacking up – see Darkie Day in Padstow), but apparantley today is Black Friday as it is the busiest shopping day of the year, and marks the start of the Christmas shopping season. First point when did shopping have seasons (are the supermarkets selling easter eggs yet?), and why the term black.
My South African friend said it was the only day that people of his race were allowed to shop in South Africa, but I think he is winding me up (you bastard Ashen). Black Wednesday and Tuesdays have existed when the stock market collapses so perhaps the term black is used for the collapse of people’s sensabilities,; spending more than we can afford (well it is christmas) and the banks flourish with their late payment, overdraft and interest charges. Bah Humbug – no – just hate that people are judged by how much something cost rather than the tought behind it.
Jason E Cooper 