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April 10th, 2012
11:20 PM ET
RidicuList: People who missed Dyngus Day
The quirky rituals involved with an obscure holiday called Dyngus Day are too much for Anderson to handle... he loses it laughing during the RidicuList.
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Post by: Anderson Cooper Filed under: The RidicuList |
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I think the reactions to Anderson's giggle fit are being taken far too personally! He giggled when he said "poking with a pussywillow stick." I think he was just overtaken with a silly word, and if you can't step back and laugh at your own quirky traditions, then it sounds like we could all use taking ourselves a little less seriously. We all have silly traditions that are near and dear to our hearts, and I don't think Anderson was trying to "insult culture" or "undermine" anyone. Girls poking with pussywillow sticks...it's hilarious. Just the way the idea that a fat guy in a red suit coming down a chimney to give presents for no apparent reason is hilarious. Lighten up!
it was't a big deal. It was funny and I also laughed. chill out people.
Wow. You people who are offended need to relax and attempt to objectively view how silly and ridiculous the Dyngus Day tradition (like so many others) is. Dyngus Day is not some type of memorial to the dead to be approached reverently. Even its celebrators abondon any shred of reverence when they drunkenly dance about slapping each other with sticks. Give Anderson a break.
I'm very fond of various traditions that were either brought to this country or were started here. I think all are fun but lets face it some are simply just funny to watch or even attend like the German Fest in Freistatt, MO (I'm of German heritage and still laugh) so Anderson you made me laugh tears last night. Thanks! I'm always happy to see when somebody else loses it laughing and I hope the rest of the people out there can laugh with you rather than getting offended.
Offended? What about Big Chuck, Houlihan and Little John ripping on Polish people for years? Im not offended by Anderson. It is a silly funny tradition! Keep laughing Anderson. You are a good man and I appreciate all that you have done and continue to do.
Smigus-Dyngus is suppose to be a merry tradition. There used to be lots of pranks (often rather silly) and some serious water pouring on others. Some roots of those traditions go to pagans time and springtime/fertility/new life after winter celebration. I believe Mr. Anderson (not intently) got into Spirit of it ;). Let's keep it that way. He got prank'ed by clear sexual connotation in "lost in translation" process. Let's show some class and mercy :)...Anyway, i could hardly stop laughing myself...Greetings from Krakow, Poland
Awww....come on everyone. This tradition did not start as a mass drunken party. It was a celebration bringing in spring, new beginnings, romance, fun, fertility. A boy would sneak in the house of his fancy, wake her up by sprinkling water on her, they would run in the woods, she pick up willow branches and WALA......the magic begins. I respect and love the old ways from all traditions and religions! But modern time Dyngus Day is cheapened and doesnt hold a place of honer for me.
Hi,
I'm from Poland and this clip was shown here on Polish TV. I must admit, I do not feel offended at all. The water-pouring tradition of Dyngus is almost gone entirely, perhaps it is still celebrated in the countryside areas, but definitely not in the cities any more, and the Monday after Easter is simply a bank holiday and that's it. Folklore traditions are often ridiculed in the media, and I agree it was not the most professional thing to do, but seriously, I have no doubt it was not offensive. At least not for me. I think Americans make far worse Polish-jokes than laughing out Dyngus,
Being both Polish and from Buffalo, you all need to chill out a little bit. If you sit back and look at it, it really is a funny looking and sounding holiday. I think we Buffalonians should take pride in our light-hearted nature and show the world we can have fun and laugh at ourselves. I hope Anderson takes Buffalo up on their invitation next year.
The part that shocks me is Wolf Blitzer is from Buffalo and works for CNN. He never told Anderson about this holiday? I guess they don't talk much.
Do you have any other ethnic traditions you would like to laugh at while offending people? Why don't you take a jab at Juneteenth, or May Day? Tolerance only for your cause or agenda as usual.
He was NOT laughing at the holiday. He was laughing at the silly word "pussy willow" and was saying that the fact that he was giggling was "stupid" not the holiday. Hey Kev, why are you so judgmental?