Socialist Progressives

http://www.snopes.com/holidays/thanksgiving/blackfriday.asp

I honestly thought the term was first used by the poor sales clerks who had to work on the day after Thanksgiving.

When I was growing up in Philadelphia, the day was just the Day After Thanksgiving, and we all braved the crowds downtown to see the magical and gorgeous Christmas lights and displays and windows at stores like Wanamaker's and Strawbridge and Clothier. Soaring music! And everyone was nice to each other, most people were looking up at the displays.

My 19 YO grandson asked me why all the Black Friday stuff has become so pervasive. I told him that, whatever the origins, I think that businesses recognise that people only have so much money to spend for Christmas, especially with the current economy, and every business wants/needs first shot at that money. Plus, a little bit of wanting to get the money NOW from people who wait for the after-Christmas sales.