{ Monday, January 5, 2004 }
Handsel
According to an old custom in the British Isles, the first Monday of the new year is Handsel Monday, a day to give a small gift or good luck charm to children or to those who have served you well. As long ago as the year 1200, English speakers were using the ancestor of "handsel" for any good luck charm, especially one given at the start of some new situation or condition. By the 1500s, traders were using "handsel" for the first cash they earned in the morning — to them, an omen of good things to follow. Nowadays, it's likely to be used for the first use or experience of something, especially when such a use gives a taste of things to come.
(From Merriam-Webster)
And those dollar bills that you see taped to the walls of small businesses -- the first money the business has earned.
LINK | 10:28 AM | TB
Alas, this fine custom has all but died out in these islands.
According to the population of the mall I was in, it was Handset Monday instead.
bhikku | January 6, 2004 1:48 AMDieu-Donne paper is gorgeous. Anyone who can see it in person needs to.
Matthew | January 6, 2004 9:36 AM{ Post a comment }
I will spare you any jokes about Humperdinck operas.
I'll have to remember the Handsel custom when my new business venture begins (some time in March). Till then, I'll have to content myself with my first unemployment insurance check once that begins.
Rich | January 5, 2004 3:24 PM