25 Fun Facts About Friday: From Ancient Origins to TGIF

ByKim Richmond Hours Updated Categories Time & Calendar

Discover the fascinating world of Friday, the beloved day that marks the end of the workweek for many. From its ancient origins to modern cultural significance, Friday has a rich history and holds a special place in societies around the globe.

What makes this day so unique? Let’s dive into some intriguing facts about Friday and uncover the secrets behind everyone’s favorite day of the week.

Friday Facts At-a-Glance

When: Fifth day of the week (in most Western calendars)
Etymology: Named after Frigg/Freya (Norse goddess of love and beauty)
Traditional Significance: Islamic holy day for congregational prayer (Jumu’ah)
Cultural Associations: End of traditional work week in many countries

Notable Practices:

  • “Casual Friday” in many Western workplaces
  • “Fish Friday” tradition in Christianity, especially during Lent
  • “Thank God It’s Friday” (TGIF) popular saying

Origins and Etymology

Happy Friday
Friday: a day with a rich history and religious significance

Let’s start by exploring the fascinating origins and linguistic roots of Friday. This day has a rich history that spans across cultures and millennia.

  1. Friday is named after the Norse goddess Frigg, who was associated with love, marriage, and destiny in Norse mythology.
  2. In Romance languages, Friday is derived from the Latin “dies Veneris,” meaning “day of Venus,” the Roman goddess of love.
  3. The Old English name for Friday was “Frīġedæġ,” which evolved into the modern English “Friday.”

Religious Significance

Friday holds special importance in various religions around the world. Here are some interesting facts about its religious significance:

  1. In Islam, Friday is considered the holiest day of the week, with special congregational prayers held at mosques.
  2. For many Christians, Friday is a day of penance and abstinence, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
  3. In Judaism, Friday evening marks the beginning of Shabbat, the day of rest that continues until Saturday evening.

Cultural Impact

Friday has left an indelible mark on popular culture, influencing everything from work schedules to entertainment. Here are some fascinating cultural facts about Friday:

  1. The phrase “Thank God It’s Friday” (TGIF) became popular in the 1960s as a celebration of the workweek’s end.
  2. Many restaurants and bars offer “Friday Happy Hour” specials to attract customers at the end of the workweek.
  3. The popular restaurant chain TGI Fridays was founded in 1965, capitalizing on the TGIF concept.
  4. In many Western countries, Friday marks the end of the traditional five-day workweek.

Superstitions and Folklore

Friday the 13th
Friday the 13th is considered an unlucky day in Western superstition

Friday has been the subject of numerous superstitions and folklore traditions throughout history. Let’s explore some of these intriguing beliefs:

  1. Friday the 13th is considered an unlucky day in Western superstition, a belief that may have roots in Christian tradition.
  2. In some maritime traditions, it’s considered bad luck to start a voyage on a Friday.
  3. According to an old wives’ tale, a child born on a Friday will be unlucky, though this superstition varies across cultures.
  4. In Thai culture, Friday is associated with the color blue and is considered Mother’s Day, as it is related to Queen Sirikit’s birthday.

Friday in Pop Culture

Friday has inspired numerous works of art, music, and entertainment. Here are some notable examples of Friday in popular culture:

  1. The 1995 comedy film “Friday” starring Ice Cube became a cult classic and spawned two sequels.
  2. Rebecca Black’s 2011 song “Friday” became a viral sensation, garnering millions of views on YouTube.
  3. The popular saying “Friday on my mind” was popularized by the 1966 hit song of the same name by The Easybeats.
  4. Many TV shows have used “Friday night” in their titles, such as “Friday Night Lights” and “Friday Night Dinner.”

Friday Facts and Figures

Black Friday sign
Black Friday: the traditional start of the holiday shopping season

Let’s wrap up with some interesting statistical and numerical facts about Friday:

  1. Black Friday, the day after U.S. Thanksgiving, marks the traditional start of holiday shopping season and is known for deep discounts and massive retail sales.
  2. In the stock market, the term “Black Friday” originally referred to a financial crisis in 1869, not the shopping day after Thanksgiving.
  3. There are 52 or 53 Fridays in a year, depending on whether it’s a leap year and which day the year starts.
  4. According to a 2015 study, Friday is the most common payday in the United States.
  5. Studies have shown that worker productivity tends to decrease on Fridays compared to other weekdays.
  6. The Friday before Easter, known as Good Friday, is a public holiday in many countries around the world.
  7. In astrological tradition, Friday is associated with the planet Venus and the zodiac signs Taurus and Libra.

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