National Head Day

Young woman with head covered in flowers, wearing a bohemian headband, surrounded by nature, sunny garden scene.. — National head day illustration

Welcome to the wacky, wonderful world of national days. Today, we'll be chucking our caps in the ring and talking about National Head Day. Yup, you read that right - a whole day dedicated to the very important thing that sits atop your neck. Now, don't go losing your head over it; let's dive into this cranial celebration.

When is Head Day?

It's national head day on the 20th August.

For those scratching their heads in confusion, let’s clear up one thing right away: this is not a day for headstands, headbanging, or soccer headers, but a day to appreciate the wonders of our noggins – that splendid sphere that holds everything we are.

Online Mentions

With a stupendous number of 2572 mentions online, National Head Day has been causing quite the cerebrostorm on the world wide web. According to our nifty web crawlers, the most mentions were spotted on 20th August 2019. The spike in activity that day likely indicates a top-tier head party that we all somehow mislaid our invite to. Darn!

The Origins

The origins of this head-turning day are as elusive as a quick game of 'Where's Wally?', though some speculate it to be the creation of a group of scientists keen on acknowledging the marvel that our brains are or perhaps a bored hat maker trying to drum up some business. Regardless of its beginnings, it’s a day we can all get behind, or under, or atop… however you prefer to interact with your head.

Celebrating National Head Day

From intellectual pursuits, like reading or Sudoku, to more physical celebrations, such as hat wearing, make the most of this day by showing some love to your brain container. But above all, remember: It's National Head Day – not to be confused with 'misplace your head day'.

History behind the term 'Head'

Old English period (450-1100)

Origin in Old English

The term 'head' originated as a word in Old English. It can be traced back to the Germanic language family. In Old English, the word 'heafod' was used to refer to the upper part of the human body, specifically the part that houses the brain, eyes, nose, and mouth. It was also used to describe the top or chief part of something.

Middle English period (1100-1500)

Evolution and variations

During the Middle English period, the term 'head' continued to evolve and expand its usage. It became a versatile word, taking on various meanings and expressions. It was used to indicate the leader or ruler of a group, such as the 'head' of a family or the 'head' of a state. Additionally, it began to be associated with the idea of control or authority, leading to phrases like 'head of state' or 'head of the household.' Furthermore, 'head' also started to be used to refer to the front or top part of an object, such as the 'head' of a spear or the 'head' of a pin.

Modern English period (1500-present)

Modern usage and idiomatic expressions

In Modern English, the term 'head' has retained its diverse range of meanings and idiomatic expressions. It is not only used literally to refer to the anatomical part of the human body but also metaphorically in various contexts. For instance, phrases like 'head over heels' or 'head in the clouds' have emerged to depict different states of mind or emotions. Moreover, 'head' is commonly used to describe the main or principal part of something, like the 'head' of a company or the 'head' of a department. The term has also extended to realms beyond the physical, finding its place in computer science with the concept of a 'header,' which refers to a section of data at the beginning of a file or record.

Did you know?

Did you know that the human brain is the most energy-consuming organ, using up to 20% of the body's total haul? We sure know where most of the body's energy goes on National Head Day!