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A few years ago I hosted a bridal shower at your restaurant and it was fantastic! I'm going to be hosting a baby shower in September and would love to have it at Jane's!
What does bridal shower and baby shower mean in this context?
asked Feb 26, 2014 at 5:56
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1shower (Def 5) A party associated with a significant event in a person's life, at which the person usually receives gifts.– JimFeb 26, 2014 at 6:51
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4I was taught the word gets its name because the bride-to-be (or mother-to-be) gets showered with gifts. At many showers, the gifts are designed to help the woman transition to her new life. So, for a baby shower, most of the gifts will be things a mom will need for her new baby: perhaps a crib, a diaper bag, a baby swing, some baby clothes, etc. Instead of the new mom incurring all those expenses, her friends shower her with many of those items as gifts.– J.R. ♦Feb 26, 2014 at 10:20
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this is as much sociology than English but it's worth mentioning that (as is explained in the accepted answer) showers are typically parties celebrating women -- i.e. you don't call it a shower if you throw a party for a man getting married– hunterFeb 27, 2014 at 18:22
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1 Answer
The word shower is quite commonly used in North America.
shower (North American English) -a party at which you give presents to a woman who is getting married or having a baby.
In particular,
baby shower - a party given for a woman who is going to have a baby, at which her friends give her presents for the baby.
bridal shower - a party for a woman who will soon be getting married, at which she receives presents
answered Feb 26, 2014 at 7:10
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1Thanks I was imagining that they would bath the baby first time I saw it. Feb 26, 2014 at 22:39
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@JonathandeM. Nope, it's something like blessings or gifts falling on them as water falls in shower.– Maulik VFeb 27, 2014 at 4:46