Friday is a noun and defined as the sixth day of the week. First used before the 12th century, Friday is one of the many words in the English language that has its roots in Norse mythology.
Interestingly, the days of the week in the English language derive from Norse mythology, unlike the days of the week in the Romance Languages, which derive from Roman mythology. This divergence is often referred to as interpretatio germanica and describes how the Germanic peoples identified and adapted Roman gods with the names of Germanic deities. According to historians, this transition occurred when both cultures came into contact around the 1st century AD.
Friday derives from the Nordic goddess of marriage Frigg. The goddess Frigg is also the protector and helper in traditional women’s work such as weaving, sewing, and cooking. In the Romance languages the sixth day of the week derives from the Roman goddess of love Venus. In Italian and Spanish, both modern day Romance languages, the word for the sixth day of the week is venerdì and viernes, respectively.
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Sources
“Friday.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary
Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde
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