Talk:Charivari
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The origins of the word "charivari" are likely from the roman caribaria, meaning headache or the greek kerebaria: kera (head), barys (heavy), named for the effect of the cacophony on the hapless newlyweds. The tradition has been practiced for at least 700 years as it is depicted in an engraving in "Roman de Fauvel"- an early 14th century French manuscript. It is still practiced today in the Atlantic provinces of Canada, although not as an expression of disapproval.
[edit] personal historical reference
My grandfather ("Skeet") tells me a story about the shivaree he got when he married my grandmother ("Faye"), which was on March 5, 1933 (he was born April 18, 1908, she was born December 12, 1910). Skeet said that the night before their wedding in the Texas panhandle area, his friends rousted him from his sleep and took him in a small wagon (horse drawn back then) out in the country, down an old dirt road, and put him out. He had no socks or shoes on, and was wearing only night clothes, no pants or shirt. He had to walk back into town, which he said was over five miles away. He said it took him a while to realize where he was to know which way to walk. He said this shivaree custom was common in his day, and that sometimes it might be associated with a drinking bachelor's party, whereing the groom was left in a stupor someplace and had to find his way home to make it to the wedding. The purpose was ostensibly so that the groom had a chance to escape (with a viable excuse for his absence or tardiness) if he really had misgivings about the marriage. A good man would always make it back in time to dress for the wedding, although the margin of time was calculated to be rather slim on some occasions.
I have on several occasions asked older gentlemen, especially when visiting in nursing homes or hospitals, about their shivaree, whether they had one, how bad it was, etc., and it always brings a smile and a story, which is particularly nice if the person has recently lost a long time spouse or is himself dying. What seemed a miserable experience at the time became a memorable experience which upon reflection reminded the person of their journey in marriage and life.
I remember my brother coming home the night before his wedding (near same part of Texas) with his friends essentially carrying him, his feet dragging, him inebriated and senseless. When he awoke a short time later that morning, he vomited repeatedly into a small plastic trash container from his bedroom. This was in December, and it was about 15 degrees (F) outside. I suppose his friends thought better of leaving him out in the sticks at that temperature. By the time of the wedding that early afternoon, he was starting to feel better, but still had a hangover. His new bride, to her credit, took no offence and offered him tender ministrations to ease his discomfort. Perhaps predictive of the kind of loving relationship they still have today, almost 30 years later.
jim_stanford@sbcglobal.net
[edit] Contesting merge
Shivaree is a disambiguation page - Skysmith 09:41, 22 September 2006 (UTC)
- I oppose the merge, too. Charivari should eventually become a disambig page of its own. Check out de:Charivari to get an idea of the number of meanings of that word. Rl 10:38, 22 September 2006 (UTC)
