callithump

/ˈkæləˌθʌmp/

There ought to be a word for a noisy parade full of people playing instruments with no rhyme or reason. Hey, guess what? There is a word for that: callithump!

Back in 19th-century America, before iPads and reality TV, people entertained themselves by throwing parades that were intentionally noisy, with instruments like tin kettles and rattles. The bands that played were called callithumpian, and their parades were called callithumps. Why not break out the pots and pans and revive this all-American tradition?

Definitions of callithump

1. noun

   a noisy mock serenade (made by banging pans and kettles) to a newly married couple
   synonyms: belling, callathump, charivari, chivaree, shivaree

   type of:

   serenade

   a song characteristically played outside the house of a love interest
2. noun

   a noisy, boisterous parade
   synonyms: callathump, callithump parade

   type of:

   parade

   a ceremonial procession including people marching