National Who Day

Happy young woman, wearing a t-shirt with 'Who' written on it, surrounded by question marks, in a vibrant, curious atmosphere.. — National who day illustration

Welcome to WhatNationalDayIsIt.com, where we celebrate all the quirky and amusing national days that pop up every year. Today, we're diving into the fascinating history of National Who Day!

When is Who Day?

It's national who day on the 15th June.

The Origins of National Who Day

So, you might be wondering, what exactly is National Who Day all about? Well, let me enlighten you, my curious friend. National Who Day was born out of a collective desire to celebrate the unknown, the uncertain, and the mysterious. It's a day for embracing the things we don't quite understand and appreciating the enigmatic wonders of the world.

The origins of National Who Day trace back to the depths of the internet. It all started with a single forum post on a long-forgotten website. A user simply asked, 'Who?' and in that moment, National Who Day was born. People latched onto the ambiguity and turned it into a full-blown national celebration. We may never know the true intention behind that original 'Who?' post, but we can certainly embrace the whimsy it has inspired.

Celebrating National Who Day

Now that we know the mysterious origins, let's dive into how we can celebrate National Who Day in style. There are so many ways to embrace the spirit of curiosity and unknown. Here are just a few ideas:

Host a 'Who' costume party where guests dress up as their favorite mysterious characters.
Create an enigmatic treasure hunt with clues that lead to unknown destinations.
Organize a 'Who Knows?' trivia night, where participants test their knowledge of the obscure and little-known facts.
Take a leisurely stroll through a museum or gallery and ponder the meaning behind the artworks.

Did You Know?

Here's a fun related fact for you: Did you know that 'Who' is actually a famous name in literature? In Dr. Seuss' beloved book 'Horton Hears a Who!', the residents of Whoville live on a tiny speck of dust. So, every time you hear someone say 'Who?', think of those whimsical Whos living on their little dust particle!

History behind the term 'Who'

9th century

Origins in Old English

The term 'who' has its roots in Old English, where it was originally spelled as 'hwa'. Hwa derived from the Proto-Germanic word 'hwaz', which means 'who' or 'what'. During this time, the word was primarily used as an interrogative pronoun to inquire about a person's identity.

14th century

Middle English Evolution

In the 14th century, Middle English saw the transformation of 'hwa' into 'who'. This change in spelling reflected the phonetic shift that occurred over time. As Middle English developed, 'who' continued to be used as an interrogative pronoun but took on additional roles as a relative pronoun and a pronoun used in reported speech.

16th century

Expansion of Usage

During the 16th century, the usage of 'who' expanded further, extending beyond its interrogative and relative pronoun functions. It began to be used as an indefinite pronoun, particularly in contexts where the person's identity was unknown or irrelevant. This shift allowed 'who' to encompass a broader range of meanings and increased its versatility within the English language.

19th century

Formalization in Grammar

In the 19th century, grammarians and language scholars began to formalize the rules surrounding the usage of 'who' in English grammar. This period marked a significant step forward in defining 'who' as a pronoun and solidifying its role in expressing questions, relative clauses, and indefinite references. The standardization of grammar helped establish clearer guidelines for its correct usage.

Present

Ubiquitous Presence

In the present day, 'who' remains an integral part of the English language. It continues to be used regularly in everyday speech, writing, and various forms of communication. As an essential element for expressing questions, identifying individuals, and introducing relative clauses, 'who' plays a vital role in facilitating effective communication and understanding.

Did you know?

Did you know that 'Who' is actually a famous name in literature? In Dr. Seuss' beloved book 'Horton Hears a Who!', the residents of Whoville live on a tiny speck of dust.