Dyngus Day is also spelled Dingus Day. It is a fun Polish Holiday, and it is widely celebrated in Poland and in Polish communities across America. It’s roots are found in the baptism of Polish Prince Mieszko I in 966 AD because water baptism is a sign of cleansing, fertility, and purification. It is celebrated on the Monday after Easter as a day of fun after the long weeks of Lent. This is one of the funniest ways, I think, for boys to meet girls. On Dyngus Day, guys get to “wet the ladies down” by chasing them with squirt guns, buckets, or other containers of water. Some guys who are more bold use cologne instead of water. Gently hitting the ladies on the legs with switches or pussy willows is also common.
The ladies get to have their revenge on Tuesday, because tradition says that on Tuesday the ladies throw dishes or pots and pans back at the boys. However, more and more girls now days take their revenge on Monday by throwing water back at the boys. As a side note, Dyngus Day is also called Wet Easter Monday. Should we wonder why!?
