Welcome Back to Sunday & Southern Monthly!
If you missed the previous installments, you’ll be interested in reading Issue 1 where I give a full definition of colloquial and a favorite example of one. In Issue 2 you’ll find out what my youngest daughter does every morning. In Issue 3 you’ll find out what trait I’ve been fighting. In Issue 4 you’ll read about a quirky measurement. Issue 5 was inspired by my oldest. Issue 6 is an attempt to instill patience. Issue 7 provides some musical entertainment. Tell me if Issue 8 is in your opinion, an expletive. Issue 9 is in honor of my husband and any other fishermen out there. Issue 10 is a phrase synonymous with lack of energy, and there’s a fun song expressing the thought.
Here in Sunday & Southern Monthly in an attempt to bring a little southern style, charm, grace, and humor to you once a month, I publish a colloquialism favored in the South ~ a southernism. This month, the phrase is inspired by the numerous social events scheduled by friends over the next couple months ~
SHINDIG
Informal Noun
- dance, lively gathering
- a big party
- merry-making
- another word for shindy
Possible Origins & Usage
Shindy referred to a row, a fight or a group of people causing a disturbance.
Apparently, shindy evolved into a noisy gathering then into a lively party. As for the reason that shindy turned into shindig with the same meaning, the clue can be found in the South where it’s remained a popular word.
Bartlett’s Dictionary of Americanisms says that shindig literally meant to kick the shins. So now we have a brawl wherein the shins are kicked turned to a merrymaking event where the shins are kicked up in untrained dancing. 🙂
Supposedly, shindig appears in American newspaper the Idaho Statesman back on October 30, 1871.
It also was used as the name for an American musical variety TV show on ABC from 1964-1966. Shindig! featured pop music of the era performed by groups such as The Righteous Brothers., Sonny and Cher, and The Beach Boys. The show was eventually taped in Britain and starred performers such as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Interestingly, the show’s success prompted the rival network NBC to air the show Hullabaloo which means noise, tumult or confusion and is very similar to the original meaning of shindig as ruckus.
The show Shindig! highlighted a dance troupe called the Shin-diggers who danced alongside the music acts of the week.
If you’re interested in watching episodes of Shindig! they are still available. I’ve provided a medley for your viewing enjoyment. Maybe it will motivate you to engage in your own dance party or shindig. 🙂
BEST OF SHINDIG PERFORMANCES
Tune in next month {in a month of Sundays 😉 } for another installment of Sunday & Southern Monthly. You’ll read all about another silly southern saying.
Thanks for reading! Hurry on back now, ya hear?
P.S. Do you have any favorite sayings?
