English

Proper noun

Maundy Thursday

1. The Thursday before Easter, which commemorates the Last Supper.
   • 1960, Alfred Lewis Shoemaker, Eastertide in Pennsylvania: A Folk-Cultural Study, 2000, page 13,

     The dialect name for Maundy Thursday, Grie(ner)-Durmerschdawg (Green Thursday, literally), is in very large part responsible for the basic lore that attaches to this day: One must eat something green on this day. […] Failure to eat something green on Maundy Thursday had dire consequences, according to the folk mind: One would get the itch, one would become lousy, or as a York County informant put it, "Mer iss s gans yawr uff em aisel." (One will be a mule all year long.)

   • 2002, Steven Molin, Journey Of Stones: A Sermon Series For Lent And Easter, page 47,

     It is the tradition among Christians in Africa on Maundy Thursday that, before the sacrament of Holy Communion is served, worshipers move about the sanctuary and seek forgiveness from everyone they have hurt or offended or sinned against — known or unknown — in recent months.

   • 2011, Donald K. McKim, More Presbyterian Questions, More Presbyterian Answers: Exploring Christian Faith, page 42,

     Most Presbyterian churches have an evening service on Maundy Thursday that includes the celebration of the Lord's Supper.

Synonyms

• Holy Thursday

Related terms

• Maundy money

Translations