Sundays are interesting days of the week. If you’re of a religious frame of mind it’s a time for resting. If you’re in an anxious frame of mind, once it hits the late afternoon it’s a time to begin dreading the start of a new work week. When I was a very little girl (and spelling was a new thing) I thought that Sunday was named in honor of Jesus (“Sonday”).
When I learned to spell accurately, I still had a sneaking suspicion that it was still named in His honor. Well, the Factotum at Large (that’s me) is here to tell you that I was sooooo wrong. As a matter of fact, Sunday predates Jesus by like a gagillion. It actually harkens back to Ancient Babylon (Hey, King Neb, how’s the grass tasting?)
The Busy Babylonians (and Friends)
Not only did the Babylonians give our frenemy day of the week the name Sunday, they also created the concept of a 7-day week. Each day of the week represents a planet or other celestial body. So, Sunday represent the all powerful sun, Monday is for the moon, etc.
Other nations liked the idea so much that they added the name of their favorite gods to their weekday calendar. So Thursday is a nod to Thor, and Wednesday is for Odin. In case you’re wondering how Odin (with an “O”) turned in Wednesday with a “W” you aren’t alone.
I did a little digging and discovered that Odin has reportedly over 200 names! Well, anyway, in Old English Odin Wōdnesdæg (pronounced [ˈwoːdnezdæj]), which meant Day of Woden or Woden’s Day. This turned into our Wednesday.
Of course, Saturday is a nod to Saturn, which is weird since he wasn’t a fun loving god. He was a shameless narcissist so I suppose having everyone pining away for Saturday to arrive might appeal to his ego.
Anyway, that left me curious about Tuesday and Friday. I found this quick video that explains them all, so if you want to know, take a gander.
