Griener Dunnerschdag

In the Pa. Dutch dialect, Griener Dunnerschdag literally means Green Thursday, a day also known as Holy Thursday or Maunday Thursday. For the Pa. Dutch, the day before Good Friday became known as Green Thursday because people had to eat something green that day. Failing to eat something green was believed to bring dire consequences: a person would get the itch, become lousy, or be a mule all year long. Dandelion leaves were the most popular greens eaten on Green Thursday. Because seven and nine were lucky numbers, salads and teas of seven or nine different greens were also popular. The Pa. Dutch also wore something green on Green Thursday.

Kutztown, Pennsylvania · United States