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Original poster

To wonder what you call " Black eye Friday"?

161 replies

Nolongera · 06/12/2024 08:59

Posting here for traffic.

Inspired by another thread.

Many there wondering what " black eye Friday " is.

Here in the North East of England, it's the last working Friday before Christmas, everyone out on the pop including the once a year amatuer drinkers and the first timers cluttering the bar ordering their port and lemon.

Black eye Friday because so many people get in a right state and end up in a scuffle and getting a black eye.

Last year was very quiet. Only saw 2 fights.

OP posts:
Kbroughton · 06/12/2024 10:51

It's a Northern thing. I am from Cumbria and it was, and is, called black eye Friday. Last Friday before Christmas. Extra special if it also falls on Christmas eve! People knock off early and go out all day and get messy. Was loads of fun as a teen. Been in the south in various locations for 15 years and no one has ever heard of the term!

TorroFerney · 06/12/2024 10:51

mad Friday but also heard it called builders Friday. Lancashire. But black eye makes sense though.

FreeMilkshakesForYou · 06/12/2024 10:49

Don't call it anything. The Friday before Christmas maybe

I'm Irish but live in the SE England and also used to live in Scotland and the SW England. Never heard it called anything at all among people I knew

CautiousLurker1 · 06/12/2024 10:48

Never come across this term before the thread you mention (had to google it). Only ever been aware of the ‘Friday before xmas’ if it is actually xmas day on the weekend because everyone would vie to have that day off when I was working (ie because it was usually dead and the office felt like an episode of the twilight zone it was so empty!). 🤷🏻‍♀️

Crumpleton · 06/12/2024 10:46

Deleted...
Repeat post...:0)

Crumpleton · 06/12/2024 10:45

Never heard of it until seeing it earlier on here.

saveforthat · 06/12/2024 10:44

I had never heard of this until that thread the other day.

Elphabaisnotwicked2024 · 06/12/2024 10:41

In North Devon it is widely called Factory Friday

Fabuloosaloo · 06/12/2024 10:41

I think camera phones and having the antics posted all over the internet has dampened down Black Eye Friday .

QueSyrahSyrah · 06/12/2024 10:39

I know it as both Black Eye Friday and Mad Friday. I used to work in a busy town centre bar and on Mad Eye Friday and Christmas Eve our bouncers started at noon (they usually came on duty at 6pm Friday & Saturday, 9pm the rest of the week). We'd be 10 deep at the bar from 1pm until our 1am close. Hell. Utter Hell.

At least before the advent of tap and pay we'd leave with pockets weighed down with generous tips. There's no way I'd be putting myself through it for NMW alone!

LividBauble · 06/12/2024 10:38

Mad Friday, north west and north east.

But only from my ex who worked hospitality.

Toottooot · 06/12/2024 10:38

Mad Friday or maybe not the most PC - Feel/Feil Friday.

BestIsWest · 06/12/2024 10:37

Years ago here in Swansea we always called it Black Friday but now of course that means something else. I’m off down Wind street tonight as it happens.

Carrotstick123 · 06/12/2024 10:36

Just black friday.. no eyes involved. Last Friday before Christmas we all went down the pub for a few drinks!

rach333 · 06/12/2024 10:33

I’m in Newcastle, and I’ve definitely heard the term black eye Friday, and I’m not remotely a partier! Reading the responses it seems like it’s definitely more prominent in the north! I’m pretty sure I first heard the term from my Dad, as he used to go out regularly on a Friday night for a couple of drinks, but would never go on ‘black eye Friday’ as it was way too busy and not worth the potential aggro of running into a drunken reveller looking for a fight.

SisSuffragette · 06/12/2024 10:31

DarkAndTwisties · 06/12/2024 09:04

I live in Berkshire and have never heard a name for this day. Doesn't mean there isn't a name for it of course, just not one I've heard!

Ditto

Bogdwellingwellywearer · 06/12/2024 10:30

I hate how it coincides with the end of term and older high school kids are often given a half day where they want to hang out and let their hair down. Lots of drunken teen girls mixed in the vicinity of big groups of drunken men , it always makes me edgy.

harriettenightingale · 06/12/2024 10:28

Mad Friday for me, a southerner but lived in Yorkshire for years when I first started working so I may have picked it up there.

Spanielsaremad · 06/12/2024 10:26

I'm East Anglia and never heard it called any name.

Dotjones · 06/12/2024 10:25

I first heard the term a couple of years ago, reminded me of this poster/t-shirt. I've never heard anyone use it in real life. Any Friday in December is "stay at home the pubs will be heaving with drunken idiots Friday" for me anyway.

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/8182vaiGIsL._AC_SX522_.jpg

WorriedRelative · 06/12/2024 10:25

Mad Friday or messy Friday here in the midlands

FestiveFruitloop · 06/12/2024 10:24

Aah thanks for explaining the origin, I was wondering about that!

Bigearringsbigsmile · 06/12/2024 10:24

I've heard it from a family member from Cumbria

Dollybantree · 06/12/2024 10:23

Hahaha I saw the thread where the OP mentioned black eye Friday - I thought she was referring to Black Friday and was very confused.

Black eye Friday makes sense now!

tilypu · 06/12/2024 10:23

Black Friday where I'm from in Scotland