Holding a Wake




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Holding a Wake : Phrases



Meaning:

A gathering of family & friends after a related person's funeral service.


Example:

Phoebe refused to
hold a wake for her recently deceased husband as she considered the practice useless in light of her grief.


Origin:

In the 1500s, lead cups were used to drink ale or whiskey. The combination would sometimes knock drinkers out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days, and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up.







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