National Grouch Day

Grumpy man wearing a grumpy cat t-shirt, surrounded by rain clouds, holding an umbrella, urban street scene.. — National grouch day illustration

For all the grumps, grouches and crabby pants out there, this is the day you’ve been waiting for - it's National Grouch Day! Pillow your heart as you take a deep plunge into a day of grumbling fun, celebrated each year on October 15.

When is Grouch Day?

It's national grouch day on the 15th October.

A Day to Embrace the Inner Grouch

Did you know that there's a whole day dedicated to celebrate the complete sourpusses of the world? Amazing, isn't it? National Grouch Day is a day that marks the acknowledgment of our inner and outer grouches. It brings light to a fun and quirky facet of our personalities that often get discarded as 'bad behaviour'. Whether it's about complaining incessantly about the weather, or taking offense to the overbearing cheerfulness of certain individuals, this day gives you full right to do so!

History of National Grouch Day

The inception of National Grouch Day isn't exactly well-documented, but many believe it sprouted from the lovable Sesame Street character, Oscar the Grouch. And why not? Oscar is the epitome of a grouch, and his debut in 1969 made 'being grumpy' endearing.

Celebrating National Grouch Day

How do you celebrate National Grouch Day then? Simple - just let it all out! Complain, moan, whine and grumble to your heart's content. Got issues with the weather? Go on about it! The coffee unsatisfactorily lukewarm? Rant it out! But remember, it’s all meant to be in good fun.

History behind the term 'Grouch'

14th century

Emergence of 'grouch'

The term 'grouch' first appeared in the English language in the 14th century. Derived from the Middle English word 'grucchen', meaning to grumble or complain, it initially referred to someone who was habitually discontented or ill-tempered. These individuals were known for their tendency to express dissatisfaction and irritability.

19th century

Influence of Oscar the Grouch

In the 19th century, the term 'grouch' gained further popularity through the beloved character Oscar the Grouch. Created by Jim Henson, Oscar the Grouch was introduced as a semi-permanent resident of the trash can on the television show Sesame Street in 1969. With his grouchy disposition and love for garbage, Oscar added a new dimension to the term 'grouch'. He became an icon representing grumpiness and introduced the word to younger generations.

20th century

Integration into everyday language

During the 20th century, the term 'grouch' became a common part of everyday language. Its usage expanded beyond simply describing a person's temperament. It started being used to describe someone who is consistently irritable, easily annoyed, or prone to complaining. This broadened meaning and association with perpetual grumbling made 'grouch' a recognizable term used across different contexts.

21st century

Positive reclamation and cultural impact

In the 21st century, 'grouch' took on a new life with a positive spin. The term was reclaimed and repurposed by the entertainment industry, primarily in the realm of music. 'Grouch' became associated with the musical genre 'grouch-hop,' a subgenre of hip-hop characterized by introspective and thought-provoking lyrics. This cultural shift reflected a more nuanced understanding of the term, highlighting the depth of emotions rather than solely focusing on negativity.