Where did the term “Hump Day” come from?

The Urban Dictionary definition of Hump Day is as follows:

Wednesday, or the hump of the week
The absolute BEST day of the week, the day of maximum hope that maybe, you might make it out of this week alive. A particularly good hump day can last you the rest of the week, and by Doomday morning (Monday) you survive by anticipating hump day. Nothing goes wrong on hump day

Most other days can be defined by hump day. Tuesday is the day before hump day. Thursday is one day after hump day. Except Friday is WOOOH!!! FREEDOM!!! Day, Saturday is Mostly Hungover day, and Sunday is PreDoom day.

Contrary to popular opinion, Wednesday is no longer the bad guy of the week. Tuesday is a combination of getting over your case of the ‘Monday’s’ while still fighting the uphill climb. Thursday is one day after “Hump Day” but not quite the weekend.

The name is derived from Old English Wōdnesdæg meaning Wooden’s Day, and Middle English Wednesdei, “day of Wodanaz” (Wikipedia). In Latin, Wednesday translates to “day of Mercury.” Also known by the slang term, ‘Hump Day’ meaning by the end of the day you have successfully made it over the hump and are on the down slide to the weekend.

Leaving the slang in the streets we take a look at the rich history of Wednesday, starting with the roots of from which it received its name – from the gods of Woden and Mercury.

Woden was the chief Teutonic god, the All-Father. His name translates to “raging, mad, inspired”. Perhaps Wednesday has improved its reputation over time… The other root comes from the Roman messenger god Mercury, who was the god of trade and commerce. Even today Mercury makes the top 10 list of Roman gods.

But really, when it comes down to it, Wednesday is just being Wednesday. It’s the middle child of the week. Wednesday has been known to be unpredictable and occasionally makes people violently insane. However, Wednesday has a bright future, as we now look at it as a landmark of the work week that we can’t wait to reach.

Today as you look at the calendar and see Wednesday staring you in the face, just know somewhere that the spirit of Mercury is at play and the All-Father is looking down wishing you a happy Hump Day! After work, come celebrate Hump Day with us at the Front Porch where every Wednesday is Flip Night!