Boxing Day · Worksheet 1
The Mystery of the Box
Read the story. 英文を読もう。
1In Britain, the day after Christmas has a strange name. It is called Boxing Day, but it has nothing to do with boxing gloves. The word box here means a box for gifts or money. But what was in the box, and who got it?
2Nobody is completely sure. One idea is about servants in big houses. They worked hard on Christmas Day, so the next day they got a box of presents, money, and leftover food. Then they went home to see their families. Another idea is about church boxes. People put money in them, and the church gave it to poor people.
3The name Boxing Day was first written down in 1743. In 1871, it became an official holiday in Britain. Later, it spread to countries like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In Ireland, people call it St Stephen's Day. In South Africa, its name is the Day of Goodwill.
4Today, Boxing Day is a lazy and busy day at the same time. Families eat cold turkey from the day before. Football fans go to big matches, and shoppers line up early for big sales. In Australia, it is summer, and people on many boats watch a yacht race start in Sydney Harbour.
5Some people still give a Christmas box to workers like postmen. It is usually a little money and a card. So the old idea is still alive. After Christmas, it is a good time to say thank you to the people who help us every day.
- servant 使用人
- leftover 残り物（の）
- church 教会
- poor 貧しい
- official 公式の、正式な
- spread 広がる
- lazy のんびりした、怠けた
- sale セール、特売
- line up 列に並ぶ
- harbor 港、湾
- postman 郵便配達員
- thank 感謝する