The Meaning Behind Black Friday
By CarolDM
@CarolDM (203422)
Nashville, Tennessee
November 27, 2020 12:40pm CST
I have always heard of Black Friday as the biggest shopping day of the year. Many retailers will have good sales on many items. Mostly Christmas shopping is done on this day.
With the state of the country lately, I wondered when someone would ask why it is called "Black" Friday. Not to worry, it has nothing to do with skin color.
Retailers are in the black on this day, meaning they are making money. They are not in the red, which means they would be losing money.
An interesting read from History.com if you are curious about the origin. I never knew where the name actually came from.
The 1800's meaning was very different from today's meaning.
The retail bonanza known as Black Friday is now an integral part of many Thanksgiving celebrations, but this holiday tradition has darker roots than you might imagine.
40 people like this
37 responses
@RebeccasFarm (89870)
• Arvada, Colorado
27 Nov 20
How about that. Glad it has no factual evidence of being a skin color thing.
4 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (89870)
• Arvada, Colorado
27 Nov 20
@CarolDM Right I guess that is also why they stated that in the article to clarify.
2 people like this
@setiyawanangga (123)
• Indonesia
27 Nov 20
in Indonesia do not know black friday. but in-game events are always labeled black friday. thank you for reading interesting
2 people like this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
27 Nov 20
@setiyawanangga What are you asking? Before COVID? Still a shopping day, just not as many people are shopping.
1 person likes this
@setiyawanangga (123)
• Indonesia
27 Nov 20
@CarolDM what's the difference with black friday before?
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (69880)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
27 Nov 20
Given how nasty it can get, I'm glad I don't go shopping on Black Friday. I highly doubt, this will stop people. I know I'm getting lots of notifications to shop, shop, shop. No thanks.
2 people like this
@kaylachan (69880)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
27 Nov 20
@CarolDM And, you know, given stores make the most money this time of year.... they're not.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
27 Nov 20
@kaylachan I know they need to make money to stay open but I will stay home.
@cmoneyspinner (9219)
• Austin, Texas
28 Nov 20
Most accountants and people in the financial world understood the name because we think in RED and BLACK, which has nothing to do with skin color. It's just the color GREEN doesn't show up very well in the spreadsheets. 
1 person likes this
@cmoneyspinner (9219)
• Austin, Texas
28 Nov 20
@CarolDM - No this specific story. I had read other stories of how Black Friday came to be. Figured it was the same. I'm sort of buzzing around doing different online work projects. I'll check it when I can.
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
27 Nov 20
thanks fer the info, hon. ya couldn't pay me to go shoppin' with all the madness.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
28 Nov 20
@CarolDM i've ne'er 'braved the elements' to do such. did do some years'n retail though, a mad rush to turn the stores 'nto winter wonderlands 'n less'un 12 hours time, lol. that 'twas 'nough fer me :)
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
28 Nov 20
@crazyhorseladycx I did when my son was alive. No more.
1 person likes this
@noni1959 (10095)
• United States
29 Nov 20
@CarolDM I don't either. Only once years ago. We went to the coast for Thanksgiving and was in the Walmart parking in the trailer until our spot opened. At 3 am we kept hearing doors slam and looked out to see people lining up. I checked a flyer and saw a stand up jewelry box my daughter had been wanting so sent my older daughter inside to get one for me. I might do the Carl Jr's deal I received in my email. For each gift card bought tomorrow, it's 25% off with a code. Those would be great extra stocking stuffers or just to have on hand for later.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (102956)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
27 Nov 20
I remember reading in the newspaper that Black Friday is the first day of holiday sales season until Christmas..
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (102956)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
28 Nov 20
@CarolDM Thank you for sharing this story with me.
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (78882)
• East Tawas, Michigan
27 Nov 20
This is very interesting, I'm glad you cleared this up for me. I have always wondered why they referred to this as 'Black Friday!' Thanks, Carol:)
2 people like this
@kobesbuddy (78882)
• East Tawas, Michigan
27 Nov 20
@CarolDM And I thought this all started, within the past 20 years!
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
27 Nov 20
@kobesbuddy I knew it had been around awhile, but no idea how long.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
28 Nov 20
it is a big day, and one I have avoided my entire life.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
28 Nov 20
@CarolDM sorry, yes it was really cool. just a day I avoid!
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (46968)
• India
28 Nov 20
That is quite interesting and shows the roots of this word not as positive as one might expect.
1 person likes this
@sharonelton (28882)
• Lichfield, England
28 Nov 20
I've done all my Christmas shopping, so I won't need to visit the black Friday sales.
1 person likes this
