What is the history behind 'Ben Johnson day' and for some of us Jamaicans 'Ben Johnson week'?
Jamaicans are well known for summing up long explanations in short phrases, sayings and proverbs. Ben Johnson day is one such example.
Ben Johnson Days are Thursdays- the day before the traditional payday which is Friday . On Ben Johnson days, pockets are usually empty (no money), and so were the pantries- except for a few scraps of food.
How the Name Came About
As with many folklores, there are several versions of how Thursdays came to be called Ben Johnson day. The following is from my grandmother.
According to Grandma, Ben Johnson was an overseer for a plantation and was responsible for providing the farmhands with their wages. In most cases, their wages were pittances and barely enough to cover their living expenses for the week. As a result, many were broke before they received their next paycheck. However, they took comfort in the fact that they would get paid on Thursday Night, when Mr. Ben Johnson brought money to pay them their wages. Hence, the day on which they their received their wages, was Ben Johnson day.
The story goes on to say that when referring to the state of their financial affairs, those who were broke – but expected that to change soon would say “ This is Ben Johnson Day”, which means that there was no money available, and little food- if any; but, that would soon change as money was forthcoming.
voir aussi: http://lacunajournal.blogspot.fr/2011/04/ben-johnson-day.html
Version rocksteady-early reggae avec George Agard , 1968: