callithump, n. and v. U.S. colloq.
(ˈkælɪθʌmp)
[App. back-formation from next.]
A. n. A callithumpian band; = charivari. B. v. intr. (See quot. 1888.)
| 1856 Hall College Words (ed. 2) 342 The band corresponds to the Calliathump of Yale. 1872 Schele de Vere Americanisms 589 Callithump seems..to be of American origin. It represents the French charivari, the German Katzenmusik. 1888 Farmer Americanisms, To callithump, to caterwaul; to produce discordant ‘musical’ sounds by means of instruments, either incongruous in themselves or in conjunction—such as tin kettles, bells, rattles, etc. |