It’s Boxing Day | Who’za Good Boy

Boxing Day, in Great Britain and some Commonwealth countries, particularly Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, holiday (December 26) on which servants, tradespeople, and the poor traditionally were presented with gifts.

This unique holiday has its roots in gift-giving on one hand and classism on the other. Here’s what we know about Boxing Day’s origins.

The entire British class system worked to make Christmas Day a big deal for the wealthy elites.

They splurged on Christmas dinners of geese, turkey, and other fowl cooked by kitchen staff.

Household servants worked hard making all the holiday preparations during the years well before the conveniences and technological advances of the Industrial Revolution.

Boxing Day, on December 26, gave the wealthy a chance to repay their servants and tradespeople with paid time off and small gift boxes filled with trinkets or coins as a show of appreciation for their service during the holidays and throughout the year.

Servants and tradespeople also prepared gift boxes for their own families, too.

By the 21st century it had become a day associated with shopping and sporting events. Boxing Day is celebrated on Monday, December 26, 2022.

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Who’za Good Boy
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It’s Boxing Day
When the servants get a day off.

She leaned over each child.

Her lilac toilet water was choking.

She wore cameltoes on her chest.

Her dress crinkled, her hair stiff.

Hugging each of the common folk.

Her breath smelled of gin and Sen Sen.

She gave them each, ‘Who’za good boy,’ or Who’za good girl.

Betraying her temper most days.

Air turned blue with oaths and curses.

Only blessings and gratitude today.

Until tomorrow curses to begin anew.

Today, my day, with my family.

We laughed, we sang, we ate good.

He sat down at the end of the day.

An ideal domestic scene-dog at hand.

Who’za good boy, patting Winston.

A brandy, a snort escaped his chest.

Who’za good boy? Indeed.
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