callithump

or cal·la·thump

[ kal-uh-thuhmp ]

nounChiefly Northeastern U.S.
  1. a shivaree.

  2. Midwestern U.S.Also called callithump parade . a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.

Origin of callithump

1
1855–60, Americanism; compare earlier callithumpian band assembly of noisemakers on New Year's Eve, British dialect gallithumpians disturbers of order at Parliamentary elections, probably equivalent to dial. gally to frighten (as in gallicrow scarecrow; akin to Old English agælwan to scare) + thump + -ian

Other words from callithump

  • cal·li·thump·i·an [kal-uh-thuhm-pee-uhn], /ˌkæl əˈθʌm pi ən/, adjective, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024