Charivari

sha-re-va-re', colloquially chivaree, a mock serenade. The name, as well as the custom, originated in France. The rustic charivari was introduced into the United States, and is still prevalent in some sections as an attention bestowed upon newly married couples. Drums are beaten, tin pans rattled, and whistles are blown, with shrieks, yells, sometimes firing of guns, and every other discordant element. While such attention may hardly be said to be agreeable, yet a large and enthusiastic charivari is by no means looked upon as a sign of unpopularity. Its absence in some sections would be regarded as a social slight. After the noise has proceeded long enough to serve the purpose of courtesy the serenaders are invited in to partake of refreshment provided for the occasion. The custom has been discontinued so generally, however, that it has come to be looked upon as wanting in refinement. The term is also applied to noisy, insulting demonstrations directed against some obnoxious person. This, however, not in the United States.