Today, the Friday following Thanksgiving, also referred to as Black Friday, is one of the busiest shopping days of the year in the US. National chain retailers often offer a small number of money-saving discounts on a selection of products while simultaneously providing comparable offers online in an effort to entice shoppers into their physical locations.
Many people believe that the name “Black Friday” originates from the belief that businesses operate at a loss, or are “in the red,” until the day after Thanksgiving when massive sales eventually enable them to generate a profit or put them “in the black.” However, this is incorrect.
In the early 1960s, Philadelphia police officers coined the term “Black Friday” to characterize the commotion that erupted when a sizable influx of suburban tourists arrived in the city to begin their holiday shopping and, in some cases, to attend the annual Army-Navy football game on Saturday.
The phrase’s more precise meaning first became clear at this point. The police had to work longer shifts than usual due to the enormous number of people because of shoplifting, traffic jams, accidents, and other issues.
What is a Black Friday means?
In American slang, the Friday following Thanksgiving is referred to as “Black Friday.” In the US, it traditionally signals the beginning of the holiday shopping season. Numerous stores frequently open early, even as early as midnight or even on Thanksgiving, and frequently advertise bargains at deeply discounted prices.