Charivari \shiv-uh-REE, shuh-riv-uh-REE\ noun
1. A noisy, mock serenade to a newly married couple, involving the banging of kettles, pots, and pans.
2. A confused, noisy spectacle.
Etymology:
From French
charivari 'hullabaloo', perhaps from Latin
caribaria 'headache', from Greek
karebaria which stems from
kare/kara (head) +
barys (heavy).
Published on April 12, 2011 07:29