Also called Tipp's Eve, Tipsy Eve Type Cultural Date 23 December | Observed by Newfoundlanders Observances Drinking and merriment | |
Significance Beginning of the Christmas season | ||
Tibb's Eve, also known as Tipp's Eve, Tip's Eve or Tipsy Eve is a celebration held on December 23 originating on the south coast of Newfoundland. Tibb's eve is also widely recognized in other parts of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
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History
The wild festivity started sometime around the mid-20th century as the first night during Advent when it was appropriate to have a drink. Advent was a sober, religious time of year and traditionally people would not drink alcohol until Christmas Day at the earliest. Tibb's Eve emerged as an excuse to imbibe two days earlier. The tradition of celebrating Tibb's Eve may be similar to 19th century workers taking Saint Monday off from work.
Name
The word "tibb" is archaic slang for a sexually promiscuous woman. In 17th century English plays Tibb was a common character of a loose-moraled woman used for comic relief. Referring to Saint Tibb was a joke that would go over the head of children who believed her to be a real saint. Similarly, Tibb's Eve was a "non-time" like "the twelfth of never" or "when two Mondays fall together."