MR WRONG: Boxed-in day
Indignity Vol. 4, No. 227
COLUMN DEP’T.
MR WRONG: On the Second Day of Christmas Nobody Knows What's Going On
THERE ARE SUPPOSED to be 12 Days of Christmas for the people who want ’em, but in America it seems like we really only get one (if we even get that one), and it’s supposed to be The Holidays, and we are supposed to be happy about it, and then a week later we get another one, for New Years, and so in between, it’s a whole buncha questions about whether or not anybody is doing any work, right? Just saying I hope you got some time off or some sorta decent multiplier on your Hourly, OK?
I don’t have a Day Job, a Nine-To-Five, but when I did, I remember what a giant pain in the ass it was sometimes to be Takin’ Care of Business and get that one goddamn day off to have even one little sliver of The Holidays, so if you are now in the interregnum and find yourself lacking focus, I think that’s the American Way, eh? Ho!
It’s also supposed to be Boxing Day in some places that play that, and Boxing Day is like one of those vocabulary words I can never never remember the meaning of, like “anodyne.” I always think it means like, dull or boring, but it means “to alleviate pain,” and while I was typing the Mr. Wrong column today, on Boxing Day, I learned there is an Anodyne shoe company, and no offense, but these are some dull-looking shoes, you can take a look for yourself. If you click the link they (the Anodyne shoe company) will offer you a free pair of socks in exchange for your email address, but the socks are only free if you buy some Anodyne shoes. This is when I remind you that the Mr. Wrong column does not have any kind of deal with the Anodyne shoe manufactuary, but if you have problem feet, I guess it wouldn’t hurt to learn about their shoes? I am just saying this because I have problem feet; I got a high arch on both sides of my foot, I’m not kidding, I have to get these orthotic things to put in all my shoes, and if I don’t wear ‘em, I get sore knees and stuff, but enough about my, and possibly your, problem feet, let’s get back to Boxing Day!
Apologies, I think my brain is full, you know? Especially around The Holidays! The thing is, it’s a low bar, but I might be smarter than I think, because even Wikipedia doesn’t really know what Boxing Day is, it’s like:
There are competing theories for the origins of the term, none of which is definitive.
The European tradition of giving money and other gifts to those in need, or in service positions, has been dated to the Middle Ages, but the exact origin is unknown; it may refer to the alms box placed in the narthex of Christian churches to collect donations for the poor. The tradition may come from a custom in the late Roman and early Christian era, wherein alms boxes placed in churches were used to collect special offerings tied to the Feast of Saint Stephen, which, in the Western Christian Churches, falls on the same day as Boxing Day, the second day of Christmastide. On this day, it is customary in some localities for the alms boxes to be opened and distributed to the poor.
The Oxford English Dictionary gives the earliest attestation from Britain in 1743, defining it as "the day after Christmas day", and saying "traditionally on this day tradespeople, employees, etc., would receive presents or gratuities (a "Christmas box") from their customers or employers."
The term "Christmas box" dates back to the 17th century, and among other things meant:
"A present or gratuity given at Christmas: In Great Britain, usually confined to gratuities given to those who are supposed to have a vague claim upon the donor for services rendered to him as one of the general public by whom they are employed and paid, or as a customer of their legal employer; the undefined theory being that as they have done offices for this person, for which he has not directly paid them, some direct acknowledgement is becoming at Christmas."
In Britain, it was a custom for tradesmen to collect "Christmas boxes" of money or presents on the first weekday after Christmas as thanks for good service throughout the year. This is mentioned in Samuel Pepys' diary entry for 19 December 1663. This custom is linked to an older British tradition in which the servants of the wealthy were allowed the next day to visit their families since they would have had to serve their masters on Christmas Day. The employers would give each servant a box to take home containing gifts, bonuses, and sometimes leftover food. Until the late 20th century, there continued to be a tradition among many in the U.K. to give a Christmas gift, usually cash, to vendors, although not on Boxing Day, as many would not work on that day.
Jeepers, I hadda leave the link in for “narthex,” that’s another one I forgot, and I even took Art History in college, but in the Spirit of Boxing Day, that’s where the Charity was supposed to happen, and instead, now, on our computers, we have Giving Tuesday, right?
The narthex is an architectural element typical of early Christian and Byzantine basilicas and churches consisting of the entrance or vestibule, located at the west end of the nave, opposite the church's main altar. Traditionally the narthex was a part of the church building, but was not considered part of the church proper.
I guess I shouldn’t read anything into how the Charity Box wasn’t part of the Church Proper, hah? Anyway, it looks like Boxing Day is something along the spectrum from Leftover Food Day, to Holiday For The Help Day, and in that spirit, I will now remember Boxing Day as Tip Day!
The MR. WRONG COLUMN is a general-interest column appearing weekly. No refunds. Write Wrong: wrongcolumn@gmail.com.
WEATHER REVIEWS
New York City, December 25, 2024
★★★★ The snow endured in patches, plainly white enough to qualify. Two men with coats layered over hoodies passed a little joint back and forth as they strolled crosstown. It was cold enough for the parka but not at all harsh. The playground courts were still covered in snow. The light was trying to glimmer through a layer of blotchy clouds, and on the far side of a long lunch, it had succeeded: honeyed radiance poured over what was left of the daytime, under a suddenly blue sky. A Knicks knit hat here and a foam finger there on the few people in the quiet streets were the only signs that a whole basketball game had let out a few short blocks away.
EASY LISTENING DEP'T.
Click on this box to find the Indignity Morning Podcast archive.
TOM SCOCCA
ADVICE DEP'T.
GOT SOMETHING YOU need to justify to yourself, or to the world at large? Other columnists are here to judge you, but The Sophist is here to tell you why you’re right. Direct your questions to The Sophist, at indignity@indignity.net, and get the answers you want.
SANDWICH RECIPES DEP'T.
WE PRESENT INSTRUCTIONS in aid of the assembly of a sandwich selected from Hygienic Cook Book: A Collection of Choice Recipes Carefully Tested, by Jacob Arnbrecht, published in 1914 and available at archive.org for the delectation of all.
FRUIT SANDWICHES
1/2 cup date marmalade
2 tbsp. apple sauce
1 tbsp. peach marmalade
1/2 cup prune marmalade
Mix all together ; then spread thin slices of bread with butter and the filling; use three slices.
If you decide to prepare and attempt to enjoy a sandwich inspired by this offering, be sure to send a picture to indignity@indignity.net.
