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Holding a Wake
Holding a Wake
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.