DCHP-1

charivari [< Cdn F < F]

n. See 1791 quote.
See also: shivaree ((n.))
- 1786 Friend, hast thou hear'd a strong North-easter roar,/ Or the harsh discord of Charivari, or Cat's wild scream ere them to love agree?
- 1791 Sometimes I distinguish myself at a charivari, which is a custom that prevails in different parts of Canada, of assembling with old pots, kettles, &c. and beating them at the doors of new married people; but generally, either when the man is older than the woman, or the parties have been twice married: in those cases they beat a charivari, hallooing out very vociferously, until the man is obliged to obtain their silence by a pecuniary contribution, or submit to be abused with the vilest language.
- 1852 (1923) The charivari is a custom that the Canadians got from the French, in the Lower Province, and a queer custom it is.
- 1958 . . . for the following year town council passed a bylaw prohibiting charivaries--"serenading of rough music made with kettles, pans and teatrays."