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• Boxing Day •

Pronunciation: bahk-sing-day • Hear it!

Part of Speech: Noun phrase

Meaning: No, it isn't a day we traditionally get into the ring, though children overenthused by the bounty of Christmas might have gotten a boxing of the ears in days past. It is the first weekday following Christmas, the traditional day for giving gifts to servants and employees in the English-speaking world outside the USA.

Notes: Throughout the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada December 26 is still an official holiday. If the day after Christmas is Saturday or Sunday, Boxing Day is the following Monday.

In Play: Boxing Day is also known as the Feast of St. Stephen, named for the first Christian martyr. It originated in 19th century England under Queen Victoria, when it was the day "on which postmen, errand boys, and servants of various kinds received a Christmas box of contributions from those whom they serve," in the words of Charles Dickens. If you come from one of the unfortunate English-speaking countries that does not recognize Boxing Day, just remember that it comes right after "unboxing" day, Christmas.

Word History: Boxing Day is probably the day after Christmas because servants often worked on Christmas. It was called "Boxing Day" because it was the day when a box was filled with Christmas gifts and delivered to service providers. (We hope that our old friend Grogie of the Alpha Agora has had another wonderful holiday as a reward for suggesting today's very topical, seasonal phrase several years ago.)

Well, as this one's a perennial there isn't much to add to the previous years' commentary. Be that as it may, I hope you enjoyed my mother's birthday anyway.

And it is amazing how many people do not understand
it is not about boxes, or collecting trash.

Nor prize fighters, nor a Chinese rebellion a century ago.

I know I explained it at least twice this season. But for
those with their brains stuck on cell phone, I doubt
they will remember it next Boxing Day. "I heard once,
I think, but I forgot". Not unless there is an app for that.

Well, there is an app, actually. It's called
Google.