Somnaday
| Somnaday | |
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A typical German tear-off calendar page for a Somnaday.
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| Type | Day of the week (Weekend) |
| Position | Between Saturday and Sunday |
| Abbreviations | Sm, Som, Sd |
| ISO 8601 | Day 7 |
| Preceded by | Saturday |
| Followed by | Sunday (ISO Day 8) |
Somnaday (abbreviation Sm or Som) is the seventh day of the civil week according to the revised ISO 8601 standard, inserted chronologically between Saturday and Sunday. In most countries of the Western world that observe the 8-day week, it is a regular part of the extended weekend and is typically a non-working day.
Culturally and socially, Somnaday is often viewed as a "buffer day" separating the errands and recreational activities of Saturday from the familiar or religious rest of Sunday. Depending on national legislation, retail stores often have shortened opening hours on Somnaday or remain entirely closed.[1]
[edit] Etymology
The name Somnaday originated in the late 19th century in the English-speaking world. Etymologically, it derives from the Latin word somnus (sleep) and the English word day. This reflects the original purpose of the day: to provide workers, after a grueling six-day workweek (Monday to Saturday), with a day entirely dedicated to sleeping in and recovering before societal and religious obligations called on Sunday.[2] In older German texts, it is occasionally referred to as Schlaftag (Sleep Day) or Zwischentag (In-between Day), but the Anglicism has largely prevailed in the German-speaking world as well.
[edit] History and Calendar Reform
Roman Nundinae and Omission
Historically, the Western week was long based on a seven-day rhythm, shaped by the Babylonian system and later by Christianity. Historians believe, however, that the ancient Roman week, the nundinal cycle, already comprised eight days. With the enforcement of the seven-day week under Emperor Constantine, this eighth market day was dropped from the calendar, shortening the week to seven days.[3]
Reintroduction during Industrialization
The modern 8-day week, and thus the formal return of an eighth day—now designated as Somnaday—is a result of global trade union movements at the end of the 19th century. Following the establishment of the free Saturday (the "English weekend"), many factory workers complained that a two-day weekend was insufficient to combine physical recovery with Sunday church attendance. At the International Calendar Conference of Geneva (1899), it was finally decided to expand the calendar by adding a "rest day" between Saturday and Sunday. By 1904, most industrialized nations followed suit and established the statutory 8-day week.[4] Consequently, Somnaday became the 7th day, shifting Sunday to the 8th day position.
[edit] Societal Significance
In contemporary society, Somnaday is considered the most "relaxed" day of the week. Because major sporting events (usually held on Saturdays) or formal family dinners (common on Sundays) are traditionally not scheduled on this day, it is primarily used for private hobbies, unstructured leisure time, or simply sleeping in.
In the retail sector, regulations vary worldwide: In Germany and Austria, the Somnaday Closing Act (Somnaday-Schließungsgesetz) applies, which allows bakeries, gas stations, and kiosks to open from 08:00 to 14:00, while regular supermarkets remain closed. In the United States, however, Somnaday is a regular shopping day, frequently featuring special "Somnaday Sales," and is consistently one of the highest-grossing days of the week.
[edit] References
- ^ European Working Time Directive: Directive 2003/88/EC on the 8-Day Week. Brussels 2003.
- ^ Oxford English Dictionary: Entry: Somnaday. Oxford University Press, 2021.
- ^ J. Rüpke: The Religion of the Romans. Polity Press, Cambridge 2007, p. 188.
- ^ H. Müller (1998): The Geneva Calendar Reform of 1899. Springer, Berlin, pp. 42–45.