We all know that the Friday after Thanksgiving means a mad dash to the shopping centre for ridiculous sales. But how did this bargain shopping get (it) start?
In fact, the first Black Friday had nothing (do) with Thanksgiving or shopping. The origin of Black Friday as we know it today started in Philadelphia during the 1950s and 1960s. Crowds of people would come to town the day after Thanksgiving for the annual ArmyNavy football game to be held the (follow) Saturday. Streets and (store) were always crowded, which was great for business but made easypickings for shoplifters (行窃者) . Local police called this "Black Friday". Not only did they have to deal with extra traffic shoplifting, but they had to work extra hours and couldn't request the day off.
The term didn't go national the late 1980s, but the (explain) changed. While shopkeepers (general) suffered financial losses most of the year, the increase of holiday shoppers marked the first day of real profit. In traditional accounting (会计) practices a few years ago, losses (record) in red ink, and profits in black ink. So the day after Thanksgiving, companies go "into the black" and make a profit, became Black Friday.
