callathump

[kal-uh-thuhmp]

noun Chiefly Northeastern U.S.

a shivaree; callithump.

Related formscal·la·thump·i·an, noun, adjective

callithump

or cal·la·thump

[kal-uh-thuhmp]

noun Chiefly Northeastern U.S.

a shivaree.

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

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

Related formscal·li·thump·i·an, adjective, noun