General
bacchanal
What does bacchanal mean?
Loud confusion, quarrelling or scandal; can also mean a raucous fete. A central concept in Trini Carnival culture.
"The whole street turn up in bacchanal when she find out he was horning she."
Origin
From French 'bacchanale' (orgy, tumult), via the Roman god Bacchus; a staple of Trinidadian usage.
Frequently asked questions
What does bacchanal mean in Trinidad?
It means commotion, scandal or confusion, and can also mean a wild, rowdy party or fete.
Where does the word bacchanal come from?
It comes from the French 'bacchanale' (tumult), tied to the Roman god of wine, Bacchus.
Is bacchanal always negative?
Not always; it can mean juicy scandal and drama or simply a raucous good-time fete, especially during Carnival.
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