Hello, I'm an expert in cultural and retail practices, and I can help explain the origins of the term "Black Friday."

The term "Black Friday" has been used to describe the day after Thanksgiving in the United States since the 1960s. There are several theories about the origin of the term, but two main explanations are generally accepted.


1. Retail Accounting: The term is said to have originated from the accounting practices of retailers. In the old accounting system, red ink represented losses, while black ink represented profits. On the day after Thanksgiving, stores would see a significant surge in sales, which would push their accounts from the red into the black, indicating a profitable period.


2. Crowds and Chaos: Another theory suggests that the term stems from the chaos and crowded conditions that would ensue on the day after Thanksgiving. The day was seen as the beginning of the holiday shopping season, and retailers would heavily promote sales to attract customers. The crowds and the potential for disorderly behavior led to the day being associated with the color black, which is often associated with negative connotations.

It's important to note that the term "Black Friday" has evolved over time and is now widely recognized as the start of the holiday shopping season, with many seeing it as a day of significant discounts and shopping opportunities.

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According to this alternative explanation, Black Friday is the day when retailers finally begin to turn a profit for the year. In accounting terms, operating at a loss (losing money) is called being ��in the red" because accountants traditionally used red ink to show negative amounts (losses).read more >>