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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:
BloodyHellBob · 06/12/2024 09:45

I've heard it called Mad Friday here in NI. It's usually when places are heaving with office parties!

TheNinkyNonkyIsATardis · 06/12/2024 09:45

Heard of Black Eye Friday, but I've always been a bit of a po-faced arse about the whole thing, even as a teen. Christmas was for family for me, even when all my mates were out on the lash on Christmas Eve.

Boxing Day was another matter. Love a Boxing Day night out.

noworklifebalance · 06/12/2024 09:45

Just Friday here (London) - similar to most other (not all) posters from the southern parts of England.

Not heard of this term from friends/family who work in hospitals but it’s been many years since they worked in A&E so that maybe a reason why.

sharpclawedkitten · 06/12/2024 09:44

I'd never heard of it and I've lived in a few places across the UK.

Rowansiskin · 06/12/2024 09:44

Black Eye Friday here too (Devon). Emergency services family. Been out on Black Eye Friday once before, there was a palpable mood of aggression in the air so I went home early. One of my colleagues later on was beaten up walking home.

TheGoogleMum · 06/12/2024 09:44

I had never heard of this until I read that other thread, then Google tells me it's last Friday before Xmas. I'm from the midlands

wholettheturnipsburn · 06/12/2024 09:43

We called it (still call it) Black Friday before the term was hijacked by the shops trying to be American

Ponoka7 · 06/12/2024 09:41

My DH was in a refrigeration, they had the usual Christmas/Jan shut down, so it was builders Friday and that was used later because we used to drink with a lot of builders. Otherwise we would have used Mad Friday. I never worked in jobs were it applied.

Barleycat · 06/12/2024 09:41

Never heard of it.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 06/12/2024 09:40

Also no name for it where I am, which is South London. Nothing special about that day here 😁

Lolliloo1 · 06/12/2024 09:40

I'm north West (Cumbria) and always called Black Eye Friday. DP was grumbling this morning about his works christmas do being on Black eye Friday so he's not going!

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 06/12/2024 09:39

I’d never heard of it until a recent thread.

Thanks for the explanation as I was worried it was a reference to wife beating and trying to make light of it.

desperatedaysareover · 06/12/2024 09:39

Mad Friday - Glasgow. Brilliant when it’s buzzin but I’m usually safely under my heated blanket before the rucks commence.

TerroristToddler · 06/12/2024 09:37

kitchenplans · 06/12/2024 09:13

I live in the SE, and I'd call it " the Friday before Christmas", and it would be a totally normal day round here. Nothing different happens on that day to any other.

Totally agree!

Never heard it called by any specific name other than 'Friday before Xmas'! I'm from East Anglia area.

LochNessy · 06/12/2024 09:37

I’m in Dorset, we don’t have a name for that day that I know of!

Doyouthinktheyknow · 06/12/2024 09:34

Southerner here, never heard the phrase before.

Howmanywishescanastargive · 06/12/2024 09:33

I was more confused about the OP on that post talking about having to work on the 23rd, which is a Monday but calling it Black Eye Friday. I had to check it wasn't a zombie thread from a few years ago when the 23rd would have fallen on a Friday.

TallulahBetty · 06/12/2024 09:33

Mad Friday or Builders' Friday (WMids).

Wrongsideofpennines · 06/12/2024 09:31

Nolongera · 06/12/2024 09:28

You have 2 black eye Fridays.

I imagine, it's not official just a bit of fun.

Realistically it wouldn't be Christmas eve as public transport runs off early, at least here in the north east it does.

Show quote history

Ah ok that makes sense. I was just wondering in terms of planning for hospitality and emergency services. But in that situation maybe its a slightly calmer one then.

AgnesX · 06/12/2024 09:30

Have never heard it called that and I've lived in England and Scotland.

Never seen any punch ups either mind you.

Original poster
Nolongera · 06/12/2024 09:28

Wrongsideofpennines · 06/12/2024 09:26

I've literally never heard of this and I've lived in 4 different counties. But I would also never go out on the last Friday before Christmas because I imagine it would he hellish.

How does this work when the last working Friday is Christmas eve? Is it still black eye Friday or would that be the week before?

You have 2 black eye Fridays.

I imagine, it's not official just a bit of fun.

Realistically it wouldn't be Christmas eve as public transport runs off early, at least here in the north east it does.

OP posts:
xILikeJamx · 06/12/2024 09:28

Mad Friday in NE Scotland. The last Friday before Christmas when all the companies go out for drinks (separate to an 'official' works Christmas Party)

TheDandyLion · 06/12/2024 09:27

It was just Black Friday round here until the retailers decided to use it the American way so we have 2 Black Fridays but for different reasons.

Wrongsideofpennines · 06/12/2024 09:26

I've literally never heard of this and I've lived in 4 different counties. But I would also never go out on the last Friday before Christmas because I imagine it would he hellish.

How does this work when the last working Friday is Christmas eve? Is it still black eye Friday or would that be the week before?

SinnerBoy · 06/12/2024 09:23

I'm from Newcastle and first heard it ten years ago, from my neighbour. She's a custody sergeant and was complaining that she pulled Black Eye Friday night shift.

I haven't been for a drink in town for years and when I did, I always avoided the Bigg Market.