As a linguistic expert with a deep understanding of English grammar and vocabulary, I can provide a comprehensive explanation regarding the classification of "Friday" as a common noun or a proper noun.
Firstly, it's important to understand the distinction between common and proper nouns. Common nouns are general words that refer to a category of people, places, or things. They are not capitalized in English unless they appear at the beginning of a sentence. For example, "dog" is a common noun because it refers to any member of the canine species, not a specific one.
On the other hand, proper nouns are specific names for unique entities such as people, places, organizations, or sometimes even days of the week. They are always capitalized because they refer to a one-of-a-kind entity that is distinct from all others. For instance, "New York" is a proper noun because it refers to a specific city in the United States, not any city.
Now, let's consider "Friday." According to the traditional understanding, days of the week are considered proper nouns because they are named after specific deities or entities. The name "Friday" is said to be derived from "Freya's Day," with Freya being a Norse goddess associated with love, beauty, and fertility. This etymology suggests that "Friday" should be treated as a proper noun and capitalized.
However, language evolves over time, and usage can shift the classification of words. In modern English, there is a tendency to treat days of the week more like common nouns. This is evident in the fact that they are not always capitalized in informal writing or speech. For example, one might say, "I have a meeting on friday," without capitalizing the 'f.' This casual usage might suggest that "Friday" is being treated as a common noun in this context.
It's also worth noting that the distinction between common and proper nouns can be influenced by the style guide one is following. In formal writing, especially in American English, it is more common to capitalize days of the week as a matter of convention. However, in British English, the practice can vary, and some style guides may not require capitalization in all cases.
In conclusion, while the etymological roots of "Friday" suggest that it is a proper noun, its usage in modern English can sometimes blur the line between common and proper nouns. The decision to capitalize "Friday" may depend on the context, the level of formality, and the style guide being adhered to. It's a fascinating example of how language can change and adapt to the way we communicate and understand the world around us.

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As per definition of proper nouns, weekday names are proper nouns. They were formed from the names of old pagan gods (e.g. Friday--Freya's Day), so they are capitalized as proper nouns. If you want to know where each originates from, see this page: The Seven-Day Week and the Meanings of the Names of the Days.Aug 18, 2010read more >>