Whitsunday

[CyrilSebastian]

Why is Pentecost called Whitsunday?

[eschator83]

Thanks for good question, I had fun looking (without much success) for an answer.  Apparently the term was in use in England prior to the 11th century.  I'll offer the guess that in large part people were reluctant to refer to the same name as the Jewish term Pentecost, wanted to avoid confusion with that celebration, and it seems may even have had some reluctance to participate in such a celebration.  I've represented our Parish several times at Seder Supper, and I think that is a wonderful feast in praise of God despite it's general inapplicability to Christianity. Whitsunday as a term seems to come from a tradition to wear white garments, and that Sunday has been a second preferred time for baptisms, although Catholic Ency has a cryptic comment about a possible pagan connection to a Spring celebration including Whitsun ale.  I hope you will clarify all this.

[CyrilSebastian]

I do know the term was used before 1100. Probably so called because the newly baptized wore white robes on that day.   
I do know the term was used in Britain and Northern Ireland.

[CyrilSebastian]

In England white vestments rather than the more usual red, were traditional for Pentecost Day and its octave.

[CyrilSebastian]

Whitsunday is the seventh Sunday after Easter Sunday.
This is the same time period that Pentecost is after Easter Sunday.