What is Black Friday? The ultimate guide

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If you love finding great deals, Black Friday is the day you won’t want to miss. Celebrated annually on the Friday after Thanksgiving in the United States, Black Friday kicks off the holiday shopping season with incredible discounts and exciting deals. From electronics to clothing, it’s the perfect time to shop and save on all your favorite items.

What is Black Friday?

Have you ever heard people talk about “Black Friday”? If you like shopping or getting good deals, this is a day you might want to know about!

Black Friday is a famous shopping day that happens every year on the Friday after Thanksgiving, which is celebrated in the United States.

Black Friday is the start of the holiday shopping season, where stores open early and offer very low prices, also known as “discounts.” These discounts make it a day of excitement, with people looking to buy clothes, electronics, toys, and more – all at lower prices.

Black Friday offers and discounts
Black Friday origins Philadelphia
Vintage Philadelphia - Broad Street Station (PRR) by Yesterdays-Paper on DeviantArt

The origins

Some people believe it started in Philadelphia, a city in the United States, during the 1960s. During that time, large crowds of people would come into the city for shopping and to watch a big football game. The streets were crowded, the stores were packed, and traffic was very busy. The police started calling the day “Black Friday” because of the chaos and busy traffic they had to manage.

Another theory suggests that Black Friday became popular in the 1980s when stores realized it was a time they could make a lot of money. During most of the year, stores sometimes lost money, meaning they were “in the red” (a financial term meaning they lost money). But on Black Friday, stores made huge profits, going “into the black” (meaning they made money). This is why people say Black Friday is a great time for bargains (a good price) and savings.

 

Celebrations

On Black Friday, stores open early, sometimes at midnight or even earlier, and offer sales (special prices) on almost everything. In the U.S., it’s a huge day for shopping. Some people even line up outside stores hours before they open!

Once the doors open, shoppers rush inside, looking for the best deals on things like TVs, smartphones, clothes, and more. For many, it’s like an exciting adventure to find discounted items (items with lower prices).

In recent years, online shopping has also become very popular. Now, people can buy things from the comfort of their homes, which means you can avoid the crowds! Big online stores like Amazon and other popular sites also have special Black Friday discounts, so you don’t need to wait in long queues. Some people even call it “Online Black Friday” because it allows people worldwide to join in and find great deals.

Black Friday online offers
Black Friday around the world

Black Friday around the world

Black Friday isn’t only celebrated in the United States anymore. Over time, this shopping tradition has become popular in many other countries:

  • Canada: Canadians used to go to the U.S. to shop on Black Friday, but now Canada has its own Black Friday sales.
  • United Kingdom: Many stores in the UK have huge sales on Black Friday, both online and in-store.
  • Brazil: People in Brazil enjoy discounts on Black Friday, especially for electronics and clothes.
  • Germany and France: These countries have joined in the fun, with big Black Friday sales and discounts at major stores.
  • China and Japan: Black Friday is growing in these countries too, although they already have other big shopping days, like Singles’ Day in China.

Time  to practise your English!

If you’re learning English, Black Friday shopping gives you a chance to practise useful vocabulary, like “discount,” “bargain,” and “sale.” Even browsing online for deals in English can help you learn new words and phrases commonly used during shopping events, which is a fun and practical way to improve your language skills..

Useful Vocabulary for Black Friday Shopping

  1. Discount – A price reduction. When something costs less than its usual price.
  2. Bargain – A good deal; something that is bought at a low price.
  3. Sale – A time when items are sold at lower prices.
  4. Crowd – A large group of people in one place.
  5. Online Shopping – Buying things from websites instead of going to a physical store.
  6. In-store – Shopping in a physical store (not online).
  7. Profit – The money a business makes after all expenses.
  8. In the red – Losing money; when a business is not making enough to cover costs.
  9. In the black – Making money; when a business earns more than it spends.
Black Friday offers

As Black Friday continues to grow in popularity around the world, it’s an exciting opportunity to find amazing deals, learn about different traditions, and kick off the holiday season with some great bargains.

Whether you’re shopping in-store, online, or just curious about the history of this special day, Black Friday has something for everyone.

If you’re on the hunt for a fantastic Black Friday deal, we’ve got one for you, too!

Be sure to check it out before it expires on December 3, 2024—don’t miss out!

Start improving your English skills today with our Black Friday coupons!

 

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