charivari

French term for an uproar caused by the banging of pans and kettles, hissing, groaning, and shouting to express disapproval. A regular wedding custom in France in the Middle Ages, it was later used only at unpopular weddings, particularly of widows or widowers who were seen as remarrying too soon. Wedding charivaris were strongly opposed by the church, and in the 17th century the provincial synod of Tours prohibited them.

The custom still continues in some rural areas of France. It is also found in Spain, and a similar custom is found in other societies. In modern times the name, with its suggestion of satire and derision, has been used as the title of various satirical papers, including Charivari (Paris) 1832, and as a subtitle for the English humorous magazine Punch.