Festivus

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Grammarist

Festivus is a term that entered the English language in the late 1990s, from an American situation comedy. We will examine the meaning of the term Festivus, where it came from and some examples of its use in sentences.

Festivus is a holiday created to be an alternative to Christmas. It was introduced to the American public by the situation comedy, Seinfeld. The 1997 episode of Seinfeld was entitled The Strike. In the episode, George’s father presides over the family’s Festivus celebration, which consists of the raising of an aluminum pole, feats of strength and the airing of grievances. Obviously invented as a comedic device, the idea of Festivus has spread into American culture and is sometimes celebrated as an addition to the Christmas festivities. The exact methods of observing the holiday of Festivus are open to interpretation, based on the scant information available in the Seinfeld episode. Interestingly, the tradition of Festivus was derived from an actual holiday invented by the father of one of the writers on the Seinfeld show, which commemorated his and his wife’s first date. Note that Festivus is spelled with a capital F.

Examples

Festivus celebrations are now held throughout the world, typically in tongue-in-cheek fashion, as will be the case this weekend in Spartanburg. (The Spartanburg Herald-Journal)

Seasons greetings race fans, it’s that time of year where we dance around the Festivus Pole and discuss Thoroughbred Racing’s Feats of Strength and the Airing of Grievances. (The Buffalo News)

In case you weren’t stuffed to the ears with holly and jolly, this week ongoing smorgasbord offers music, dance, decor and even Festivus, for the rest of us, in what’s the busiest holiday weekend of the Tuscaloosa year. (The Tuscaloosa News)