shivaree
Definition
Noun: A loud, boisterous, and often humorous mock serenade, traditionally performed by a group of people banging on pots, pans, kettles, and other noisy instruments outside the home of a newly married couple. It is a form of charivari, a custom intended to both celebrate and playfully harass the couple.
Usage
The word "shivaree" is used to name this specific, noisy celebration. It is a countable noun. - The shivaree lasted well past midnight. - As a tradition, the shivaree was meant to welcome the couple to the community in a very loud way.
Examples
- After the wedding, their friends organized a raucous shivaree outside their cottage.
- The sound of the shivaree could be heard all through the village.
- He remembered his grandfather's stories about the shivarees that used to be common in rural areas.
Advanced Usage
- The term is primarily used in North American English, particularly in historical or regional contexts, to describe this folk custom.
- While traditionally for newlyweds, the concept of a noisy, mock serenade could be humorously applied to other occasions, though this is not the primary meaning.
- As a joke, the team gave the coach a shivaree after the big win.
Variants and Related Words
- Charivari (noun): The French-derived term for the same custom, from which "shivaree" originates. It is more commonly used in historical and European contexts.
- Callithump (noun): A somewhat similar noisy, parading celebration, but not specifically targeted at newlyweds.
- Mock serenade (noun phrase): A descriptive phrase for the activity.
Synonyms
- Rough music (noun, chiefly British): A term for a loud, discordant demonstration of public disapproval or, historically, for a charivari.
- Tin-panning (noun, informal): Refers to the act of making noise with pans.
- Kettle-banging (noun, descriptive): Describes the central action of a shivaree.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- To give someone a shivaree (verb phrase): To perform this noisy celebration for someone.
- The whole town came out to give them a shivaree.
- Shivaree the couple (verb phrase, informal/regional): To subject the newlyweds to a shivaree.
- It was a tradition to shivaree the couple on their wedding night.
Noun
-
a noisy mock serenade (made by banging pans and kettles) to a newly married couple
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