Dictionary.com

callithump

or cal·la·thump

[ kal-uh-thuhmp ]
/ ˈkæl əˌθʌmp /
Save This Word!

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.
QUIZ
ALL IN FAVO(U)R OF THIS BRITISH VS. AMERICAN ENGLISH QUIZ
There's an ocean of difference between the way people speak English in the US vs. the UK. Are your language skills up to the task of telling the difference? Let's find out!
Question 1 of 7
True or false? British English and American English are only different when it comes to slang words.

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

OTHER WORDS FROM callithump

cal·li·thump·i·an, adjective, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use callithump in a sentence

  • I became acquainted with callithump when I straightened out the asparagus-bed.

    Dwellers in Arcady|Albert Bigelow Paine
  • I have the greatest respect for honorable toil, but even more for callithump.

    Dwellers in Arcady|Albert Bigelow Paine
  • You probably don't know what callithump is, but you will find out if you undertake to hoe sod-ground potatoes in July.

    Dwellers in Arcady|Albert Bigelow Paine
  • By the time I had pulled half-way down one row I could feel the callithump working.

    Dwellers in Arcady|Albert Bigelow Paine
FEEDBACK