Have You Heard of the Polish Celebration ‘Dyngus Day’?

I'm sure they celebrate it in Hard-Hittin' New Britain.

My wife and her sisters were talking, and one of them brought up 'Smigus-Dyngus', and they started laughing hysterically. The name alone made me laugh, so, I asked what the hell they were talking about. I am of Italian-Polish-Lithuanian decent, but I've never heard of 'Dyngus Day' until now. I find it hilarious, let me explain:

Smigus Dyngus, which is also known as 'Wet Monday', and in modern times 'Dyngus Day' is a celebration held on the Monday after Easter Sunday. Here is where it gets crazy. Traditionally, boys get to throw water on girls, and spank them with pussy willow branches. Yes, drench and spank them. BUT, if the intended target presents her attacker with a painted egg, no drenching or spanking. If no egg is presented? Not only is the drenching allowed, it sometimes progresses to the point where girls are thrown into lakes or ponds!

Don't take this as valid, honest truth, but my wife and her sisters told me that the Dyngus Day celebrations in Poland have had to be scaled back in recent years due to near-drownings.

Oh, but it's not over yet. Girls get to exact their revenge on Tuesday, by throwing DISHES or CROCKERY at the boys.

Dyngus Day celebrations are held in many American cities, most notably Cleveland, Buffalo, and South Bend, Indiana. I can't wait to throw a gallon of ice water at Mrs. Large on March 28th of this year. I'm sure I'll wake up on Tuesday morning with a Le Creuset imprint on my face.

Listen to Large "Kielbasa" Dave on 95.1 FM, online at i95rock.com/listen-live/ or by downloading the RadioPup App for your mobile device.