callithump

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English

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Etymology

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Uncertain. Perhaps from calli- +‎ thump.[1]

Pronunciation

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Noun

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callithump (plural callithumps)

  1. (US, colloquial, dated) A somewhat riotous parade, accompanied with the blowing of tin horns and other discordant noises.
    • 1919, Albert Bigelow Paine, Dwellers in Arcady: The Story of an Abandoned Farm[1]:
      You probably don't know what callithump is, but you will find out if you undertake to hoe sod-ground potatoes in July. It has something to do with brazen trumpets and violence. I became acquainted with callithump when I straightened out the asparagus-bed.
  2. (US, colloquial, dated) A burlesque serenade; a charivari.

Derived terms

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References

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  1. ^ Douglas Harper (2001–2024) “callithump”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.