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

• shivaree (US)

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ʃɑːɹɪˈvɑːɹi/, /ʃɪvəˈɹiː/
• Rhymes: -æri, -ɑːri, -iː

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.
2. Any loud, cacophonous noise or hubbub.

Related terms

• shivaree

Synonyms

• skimmington

Translations

mock serenade

Dutch: ketelmuziek (nl) French: charivari (fr)

Volapük: mimusig (vo)

cacaphonous noise, hubbub — see cacaphony

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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