Curmudgeons Day is celebrated in honor of all the cranky and fussy people in our lives. Picture Oscar the Grouch, Mr. Mooney from the Lucy Show, the old lady at the cashier, or your grandfather sitting on his porch — and blow them a kiss on this fun and interesting holiday.
The word ‘curmudgeon’ is defined by the American Heritage Dictionary as an ill-tempered, disagreeable, and quarrelsome person. We disagree with the curmudgeons in our lives the entire year, right? We honor them on Curmudgeons Day.
Curmudgeons Day is celebrated on the birth anniversary of American actor, comedian, writer, and juggler, William Claude Dukenfield, better known as, W.C. Fields. Fields’ finessed the persona of a curmudgeon with his comic acts and became one of the best-known entertainers of his time. W.C. Fields portrayed cantankerous and antisocial characters throughout his life while maintaining his absolute affinity for alcohol and his disdain for dogs and children. His juggling acts became world-famous, as he toured all across America and the seven seas, making Queen Victoria one of his attendees. In his four decades as an entertainer, Fields acted in dozens of films and became a household name.
Fields died at age 66 and left behind one of the greatest legacies any entertainer ever has.
On Curmudgeons Day, you can either sit at home and be grouchy, or you can take a stroll around the neighborhood to greet all the grumpy people you can find. You can also take a quick scan of your social media and reach out to the ‘mean boys and girls’ of your high school. Better yet make a cup of tea for a co-worker who’d shed a limb before sharing a smile. Whatever you do, don’t let the grump slip away from you.
