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social
DCHP-2 (May 2010)
1n. — Prairies, especially Manitoba; often short for wedding social
a social gathering to support a young couple, often as a wedding party and fundraiser.
Type: 3. Semantic Change — A development from meaning number 1, the term social is today perhaps most often used not for organizations but private fundraising causes. While the term is most often used to refer to a pre-wedding event and therefore is often called a wedding social, it is also referred to as merely a social (see the 2023 quotation). Wedding socials are customary Manitoba, as they give people the opportunity to support a soon-to-be-married couple financially by throwing a party in celebration of them. The couple's family and friends can contribute by purchasing tickets and participating in auctions, or by simply gifting the couple money directly (see the 2025 quotation).
As can be gleaned from Chart 1, wedding social might also have a claim as a Manitoban/Canadian form. However, the token count is very low with 23 items in the .ca domain and only single items in the others shown on the board.
As can be gleaned from Chart 1, wedding social might also have a claim as a Manitoban/Canadian form. However, the token count is very low with 23 items in the .ca domain and only single items in the others shown on the board.
Often confused with a stag, stagette or bachelor(ette) party, the function of these socials are fundraising to help give a hand in their new household, or similar purpose.
Usually short for wedding social, though the oral form social is common in Manitoba (see the 2023 quotation).
Quotations
1969
You're cordially invited to attend a Wedding Social on May 23rd from 9-12 p.m. in the I.O.O.F hall Belmont in honour of Mr and Mrs Jim Holmes, (wedding May 10). Proceeds from the Social to be presented as a gift.
1983
Saturday May 28 at the Vita Hall a wedding social was given in honour of Donna and Edward. A joyful crowd of relatives and friends greeted the young couple as they entered the hall with music, applause and corsage pinning.
1993
Richard Lewis and Karen Nobiss and Walter and Corrine Tourand are pleased to announce the forthcoming marriage of their children, Melanie and Danlel. A May wedding social is planned.
2014
SOCIAL - Wedding social for Terry Morran and Eric Price will be held on Saturday, May 17 from 9:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m. at the Grandview Kinsmen Community Centre.
2023
A social is a particularly Manitoba-grown concept. It's a fundraising party, often for a wedding, charitable or community organization. Usually held at a community centre or a Legion hall, it can be known as a "Manitoba Social", "Winnipeg Social", "Wedding Social", "Fundraising Social", or just simply a "Social".
2025
A wedding social is a Manitoba tradition that combines a lively party with fundraising for a couple's upcoming wedding. It's essentially a pre-wedding bash where friends, family, and even friends of friends gather to support the couple by buying tickets, bidding on silent auction prizes, and enjoying drinks, dancing, and snacks.
2n. — obsolete
a social gathering for the purpose of raising funds for a church or other organization.
Type: 3. Semantic Change — The generic term social for community fundraising events early in the 20th century has been replaced by fundraiser and other names.
Quotations
1870
A very pleasant Social was given by the ladies and friends in our new mission church on Christmas day.
1873
[They] intend giving an oyster social this Friday evening in the lecture room of their church.
1908
The stocking social to have been held by the ladies of the Methodist church has been indefinitely postponed.
1915
[...] they may . . . augment the missionary funds by bazaars, birthday socials, autograph quilts and fowl suppers. [...]
1958
Last year, a March social was held in the Crystal Creek hall. . . .
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