Why Is It Called Black Friday?🤔
Every year, as Thanksgiving wraps up in the U.S., a shopping phenomenon takes over—Black Friday. Stores slash prices, shoppers line up before dawn, and online carts overflow. But have you ever stopped to wonder: why is it called Black Friday? The name sounds like it refers to something chaotic or negative, yet it’s associated with one of the busiest (and most profitable) days for retailers. Let’s dive into the fascinating history behind the term.
The Most Popular Origin Story: From Red to Black
The most widely accepted explanation ties the name to retail accounting practices. For much of the year, retailers operate “in the red”—meaning their expenses exceed their profits, a term derived from old-fashioned ledgers where losses were marked in red ink. Black Friday, however, was the day when holiday shopping kicked off so strongly that stores would finally “get into the black,” turning a profit for the year. This shift from red to black became the inspiration for the name, and it’s a narrative that resonated with both businesses and consumers.
The Less-Known (and Grittier) Philadelphia Roots
While the accounting story is cozy, the term’s actual origins are a bit more chaotic. The first recorded use of “Black Friday” dates back to the 1950s in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At the time, the day after Thanksgiving was a nightmare for local police. Why? It was the start of the holiday season, and two major events converged: the annual Army-Navy football game and the beginning of Christmas shopping. The combination led to massive crowds, traffic jams, shoplifting, and general mayhem.
Police officers, who had to work extra hours with no overtime pay, started referring to the day as “Black Friday” to describe the chaos they endured. Retailers hated the negative connotation, though. They tried rebranding it as “Big Friday” in the 1960s, but the name never stuck. Eventually, the accounting-based explanation gained traction, transforming the term from a negative label to a positive one celebrating profitability.
Black Friday Today: Beyond the U.S. and In-Store Crazes
Today, Black Friday has evolved far beyond its Philadelphia origins. It’s no longer just an American tradition—countries around the world, from the UK to Australia to India, now participate in the shopping spree. The rise of e-commerce has also changed the game: “Cyber Monday” (the Monday after Black Friday) emerged as a counterpart for online deals, and many retailers now extend Black Friday into a week-long event or even a month of sales.
SEE KOLYBEL 2025 BLACK FRIDAY SALE
