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screech-in
DCHP-2 (Oct 2016)
Spelling variants:Screech-in, Screech-In
n. — Newfoundland, Social customs
an informal bonding ceremony in Newfoundland, involving drinking rum and kissing a (dead) fish, usually cod (see Image 1).
Type: 1. Origin — The term reflects the drinking of screech, an inexpensive rum bottled in Newfoundland, which is the main component of the ritual which is performed to initiate "honorary Newfoundlanders" (see the 1994 and 2007 quotations). As Chart 1 shows, the term is almost exclusive to Canada, which Chart 2 clarifies as being the result of its dissemination in the Province of Newfoundland (and Labrador).
See also COD-2, s.v. "screech-in", which is marked "Nfld."
See also COD-2, s.v. "screech-in", which is marked "Nfld."
Quotations
1983
The jokes were told at a ''Screech-In'', a ritual of Newfoundland hospitality where the initiates kiss the cod, eat hard-tack, do a jig, try to whistle, and drink enough raw rum to have a vision.
1988
The concert here Thursday evening was the NAC Orchestra's last in Newfoundland on this tour of the Maritimes. To mark the occasion, the Arts and Culture Centre here held a Screech-in.
1994
There is a time-honored ceremony called the Screech-In. A visitor (known as a CFA, for Come From Away) chugs Screech, Newfoundland's potent rum, and then kisses a cod. Next the visitor has to recite, "Indeed I is me final son and long may your big jib draw." Presto: an honorary Newfoundlander is created.
1998
Canada Day celebrants with a jig on their minds and the desire to kiss a cod will want to check out the Newfoundland Kitchen Party's CD release at Tir Nan Og. [...]
Drover said that part of the celebration will be a genuine "screech-in." This unique event will include a Newfoundland-style test designed for mainlanders, the playing of instrument implements and the scoffing of such Newfoundland delicacies as Hard Tac, Newfy steak and cod tongues.
2007
A screech-in is a ceremony where non-Newfoundlanders or "come-from-aways" are inducted into Newfoundland culture by downing a shot of screech rum, repeating some phrases in a Newfie dialect and kissing a cod.
2012
To top it off, attendees can sample some catered Atlantic grub such as halibut cakes and can even join the screech-in. That's where "come-from-aways" are made honourary Newfies by taking a shot of screech (rum) and kiss a cod.
2015
Tomorrow I’ll speak with Captain Barry Rogers, president of ‘Iceberg Quest Ocean Tours‘ who takes people out from two locations in Newfoundland; St. John’s, the capital city, and Twillingate to the northeast.
Both tours offer a cool adventure and will take one closer to the silent, giant wonders of nature.
And we’ll find out how a “Screech-in” can make you an honorary Newfoundlander!
References
- COD-2
Images
Image 1: A sign advertising screech-ins in St. John's, NL. Photo: B. Ford
Chart 1: Internet Domain Search, 12 Oct. 2012
