charivari

English

The cover of the first issue (1841) of the British satirical magazine Punch, or the London Charivari

Etymology

From French charivari.

Alternative forms

Pronunciation

Noun

charivari (countable and uncountable; plural charivaris)

  1. The noisy banging of pots and pans as a mock serenade to a newly married couple, or similar occasion.
    • 2002, Colin Jones, The Great Nation, Penguin 2003, p. 94:
      The marriage ceremony was given primordial significance over folkloric pre-marriage engagement rituals and wild charvaris.
  2. Any loud, cacophonous noise or hubbub.

Related terms

Synonyms

Translations


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French

Etymology

Perhaps Latin caribaria, from carivaria, perhaps from Ancient Greek καρηβάρεια (karēbareia, headache).

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ʃaʁivaʁi/

Noun

charivari m (plural charivaris)

  1. charivari, shivaree, mock serenade of discordant noise, notably to heckle a publicly reviled figure
  2. A racket, banging in general, rumpus
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Last modified on 14 December 2012, at 04:58