hump day

USAGE SUMMARY

"hump day" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
The phrase "hump day" refers to Wednesday, the middle of the work week (it is the "hump" in the middle of the week). You can use it in informal contexts, such as in conversation with friends or in informal writing. For example, "I'm so glad it's finally hump day - the weekend is almost here!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

You can be the Hump Day camel from the Geico Corp commercials, and on Wednesday ask penguins what day it is and say "HUMP DAY!".

WikiHow

For Hump Day Coffee break, Haydon sends out a first email a couple of days before the broadcast announcing the topic, a second on the day of the show, and a third a couple of days later (targeted at people who didn't open the earlier emails) promoting the replay.

Forbes

Anything to get through hump day, right?

The Washington Post

Hump day Still not a thing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Honey Hill Farm has led camels to a shipping logistics provider in Cincinnati (for Hump Day, of course) and released hopping kangaroos in its hallways.

The Washington Post

To celebrate the anniversary — and its collision with Hump Day — mean girls (and boys) around the world have been posting pictures on social media, showing themselves decked out in pink.

The Guardian - Film

Hump Day is gone.

TechCrunch

Just In Time For Trenta: Send Your Facebook Friends Starbucks Card eGifts Hump Day Giveaway: ThinkFun Solitaire Chess.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The reason I bring up this pre-Hump Day day is because I've taken it upon myself to make this way-too-early-in-the-week weekday cool again.

Huffington Post

The hump-day auteur Yep.

Huffington Post

Let this joyride help you through the depth of your hump-day, and we'll see you on the dancefloor.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hump day" in informal communication to lighten the mood and acknowledge the midpoint of the work week. It's particularly effective in internal communications or social media posts targeting employees.

Common error

Avoid using "hump day" in formal reports, official emails, or presentations. Opt for more professional terms like "Wednesday" or "midweek" to maintain a respectful tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hump day" functions primarily as a noun phrase acting as a colloquial label for Wednesday. As Ludwig AI explains, it symbolizes the midpoint of the workweek, the "hump" to get over before the weekend. It is used to identify and reference this specific day in an informal way.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Wiki

7%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hump day" is a widely recognized and frequently used term for Wednesday, particularly in informal settings. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalent use in news and media. While its informal register makes it unsuitable for formal or academic contexts, it serves as a lighthearted way to acknowledge the midpoint of the work week and express anticipation for the weekend. For more professional communication, consider using alternatives like "Wednesday" or "midweek". Understanding its appropriate use can help you effectively engage in workplace conversations and social media interactions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Hump Wednesday

Reorders the phrase while retaining the core meaning.

Middle of the week

A literal description of the time frame "hump day" represents.

Midweek

Indicates the middle of the week, similar to "hump day" but more general.

The middle of the working week

More descriptive and explicitly mentions the work week.

Halfway to Friday

Emphasizes the proximity to the end of the work week.

Wednesday

Refers to the specific day of the week, whereas "hump day" is a more figurative reference.

Midweek point

Highlights the central position in the week.

The day before Thursday

Defines the day in relation to the following day.

That Wednesday feeling

Captures the sentiment associated with the day.

Almost there Wednesday

Expresses the anticipation of the upcoming weekend.

FAQs

How can I use "hump day" in a sentence?

You can use "hump day" to refer to Wednesday, often with a sense of relief or anticipation for the weekend. For example: "Happy hump day! Only two more days until Friday!"

What's the origin of the term "hump day"?

The term "hump day" is a metaphor that compares the work week to a hump, with Wednesday being the peak or middle point that you need to overcome to reach the weekend.

What can I say instead of "hump day"?

Alternatives to "hump day" include "Wednesday", "midweek", or "middle of the week", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it appropriate to use "hump day" in a professional email?

While it can lighten the mood, using "hump day" in professional emails depends on your workplace culture and relationship with the recipient. If in doubt, stick to more formal language like "Wednesday".