Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
Boxing Day ExamplesWord Origin noun
- (in Britain) the first weekday after Christmas, when Christmas gifts or boxes are given to employees, letter carriers, etc.
Origin of Boxing Day First recorded in 1825–35 Examples from the Web for boxing day Historical Examples of boxing day
I wonder—how does their work seem to Them upon this morning after Boxing-day?
Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 150, January 5, 1916
Various
Let us turn into the British Museum and see sensible, decorous Boxing-day there.
Charles Maurice Davies
Boxing-day on the river: The silent street is almost deserted.
Charles Maurice Davies
But let us pass on to the artistic Boxing-day keepers at the National Gallery.
Charles Maurice Davies
Such a disappointment must not be inflicted upon any family on Boxing-day.
Florence L. Barclay
British Dictionary definitions for boxing day Boxing Day noun
- British the first day (traditionally and strictly, the first weekday) after Christmas, observed as a holiday
Word Origin for Boxing Day C19: from the custom of giving Christmas boxes to tradesmen and staff on this day Word Origin and History for boxing day Boxing Day n.
1809, “first weekday after Christmas,” on which postmen and others expect to receive a Christmas present, originally in reference to the custom of distributing the contents of the Christmas box, which was placed in the church for charity collections. See box (n.1). The custom is older than the phrase.