Curmudgeons Day, observed annually on January 29, is one of the sillier days that I’ve included on the Weird Holidays & Observances page. But what’s its story? Who started it and why? And what is a curmudgeon exactly and where did that word come from?
What’s a Curmudgeon?
The Oxford Dictionary defines a curmudgeon as “a bad-tempered person, especially an old one.”
Such a funny name —not to mention a fun word to say— for a Grumpy Gus!
Who does Curmudgeons Day celebrate?
Curmudgeons Day celebrates (or maybe reveres?) the cantankerous, grouchy, miserly naysayers amongst us.
Also, it gives us permission to let our inner grouches simmer in our sour stew without being told to “cheer up” or “stop being so glum” if we’re normally prone to feeling “meh” and “bah humbug-ish.” What? A day to sulk at will? That might be enough to even make a curmudgeon smile!
The Humorous Origins of Curmudgeons Day
Would you believe a comedian was the inspiration for National Curmudgeons Day? According to Vocabulary.com, Jan. 29 was selected as the date in honor of W. C. Fields., who was born on that day in 1880.
Or so the story goes. So far I haven’t been able to find info on who started Curmudgeons Day or when it first began, but I will keep digging. If I happen to find anything, I’ll be sure to update this post!
However, I did turn up some great W. C. Fields quotes that demonstrate what a witty curmudgeon he was. (I personally think “witty” and “snarky” should be added to the definition of a curmudgeon because, even though they’re grouchy, you can’t help but laughing at their funny comments. Or at least I can’t.)
- If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Then quit. No use being a damn fool about it.
- I am free of all prejudice. I hate everyone equally.
- Start every day off with a smile and get it over with.
- I like children —fried.
- I never drink water; that is the stuff that rusts pipes.
12 Popular Curmudgeons from Pop Culture
Curmudgeons certainly make great characters. Here are some popular grouches you may be familiar with from screens big and small.
- Archie Bunker (All in the Family)
- Donald Duck
- Dorothy Zbornak (The Golden Girls)
- Ebenezer Scrooge (A Christmas Carol)
- George Wilson (Dennis the Menace)
- Grumpy Dwarf (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)
- Grouchy Smurf (The Smurfs)
- Max Goldman (Grumpy Old Men)
- Oscar the Grouch (Sesame Street)
- Severus Snape (Harry Potter)
- Stanley Hudson (The Office)
- Statler and Waldorf (The Muppets)
Other Days Devoted to Grouches
My quest to try and find out who may have created Curmudgeons Day and when led to discovering some fun finds in newspapers about other days devoted to grumpy people.
Like this clip from the Southtown Star in 1986, which lists Celebrate National Grouch Day on October 15 in its “Daffy Days” listing.
In a collection of strange days for October, a July 23, 1986 edition of The Tampa Tribune listed Cuddle a Curmudgeon Day. (Would a curmudgeon let you cuddle them? I can just see the expressions of disgust that would provoke!)
And then in the 1990s, there was apparently a band called Curmudgeon’s Day. I found several listings for their shows in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, like these.
Here’s even a review of their performance.
The first modern-day newspaper reference I found for Curmudgeons Day was in a January 2013 edition of The Times Leader from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
Check-In
Who’s your favorite pop culture curmudgeon? Or maybe you know one in real life? If so, do you plan to celebrate them on Curmudgeons Day? Maybe give them a little cuddle? Or is it best to leave them alone?
Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, and obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. (Yes, really! As explained here.) That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.
Speaking of mystical, to learn how Courtney channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.
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My husband says he’s a curmudgeon, but I think he’s a sweetheart.:-)
Awww! Curmudgeons are lovable! Mine isn’t always curmudgeonly, but he is an awful lot of the time. But I can’t help it. I just love my grouchy bear! lol I also find it hard to believe yours is. I don’t him of course, but the little you’ve shared about him…he sure seems awfully thoughtful. Not really a curmudgeon trait. lol