Why Do They Call Boxing Day Boxing Day

During Advent, Anglican parishes displayed a box into which churchgoers put their monetary donations. On the day after Christmas, the boxes were broken open and their contents distributed among the poor, thus giving rise to the term Boxing Day.

Why is it called Boxing Day?

It was traditionally a day off for servants and a day when they would receive special presents from their masters. The presents traditionally given to the poor and servants was called a ‘Christmas box‘ hence the name Boxing Day.

Why is boxing called pugilism?

The term “boxing” is derived from the term “pugilism” from the ancient Latin word, “pugil” meaning “a boxer”. This is related to the Latin “pugnus” meaning “fist” and derived from the Greek word “pyx” meaning “with clenched fist”.