In the U.S., the word “boxing” usually refers to two athletes stepping into a padded ring, each having the intention of knocking the other off his feet.
Also in the U.S., the holiday known as Boxing Day is generally obscure. In Britain, the celebration is ubiquitous. Let’s spend a minute with the origin of the “box” in the pugilistic sense of boxing. The brutal sport most likely gets its name from the Germanic word boke, “a blow.” Rest assured that the day after Christmas has nothing to do with bopping friends and family on the head.
Dating back to the Middle Ages, Boxing Day has been associated with the tradition of bestowing gifts upon employees or those in need.
There are different folk etymologies regarding how Boxing Day got its name. A common version centers on the Christmas box, or a clay box that was once commonly found in artisan shops in England. Donations to workers would be placed inside. After Christmas, the box would be broken. The workers in the shop would divvy up the contents.
In a similar tradition, churches would collect donations in a designated box. The charity would then be distributed to the less fortunate.
In modern times, Boxing Day in some places has actually become associated with sporting events. For example, in some of the African Commonwealth nations, prize-fighting contests are held on Boxing Day. The day has gained commercial associations, similar to Black Friday.
boxing day and see how it turns out…
I have also heard that the day originated from the fact that servants in English households were expected to serve the family on Christmas Day. In return for working on Christmas they were given the following day off to spend with their own families. The master of the house would give his servants gifts in boxes to be opened on their day off. Thus, the term boxing day.
Thx. It is always good to know….
Wait, Black Friday? What is Black Friday about actually?
It’s called Boxing Day because people put their Christmas presents back into the boxes to be stored in the attic and given to someone else next year.
gasp! i always wanted to know what went on during Boxing Day, & now i know.. maybe my daughter & i will start celebrating it instead of Christmas- it’s gotten too corporal for my liking, anyways, & it’s always good to extend outwards to other cultures.
Hi I’m Jack
I was told when I was a child that the term Boxing Day referred to the day after Christmas, when the leftovers from the Christmas feast were divided out into boxes to be given to the servants since there was no refrigeration in which to store the food. It was an opportunity for the servants and staff to have a day off with a feast since most of them were working for the lord of the manor on Christmas day.
In later years this practice was extended to take in the poor of the parrishes, and boxes would be dropped at their doors anonymously. It became more than just food, since old clothing and belongings that had been replaced with new could be passed on.
i really don’t care about boxing and i think that having a boxing day isn’t okay cus if everyone knew about this we would have to umm be careful cus everyone would start fighting and i wouldent enjoy that and hiiiii jack im michelle
i thought it was when you are done and used to all your new presents and now to find a place to put them
What a great information! My idea of boxing was limited to people hitting each other.
Hi Jack, Im Pete
Hi Jack, Im kevin Not Pete
Bah!
Hey Guys Im Happy 2day
I Love panaa
Thank you, I have always wanted to know this!