A party or other entertainment held immediately before a solemn or significant event; an entertainment taking place prior to or in spite of (anticipated) misfortune.
Origin
Early 20th century; earliest use found in Macmillan's Magazine.
Definition of Waterloo ball in US English:
Waterloo ball
noun
A party or other entertainment held immediately before a solemn or significant event; an entertainment taking place prior to or in spite of (anticipated) misfortune.
Origin
Early 20th century; earliest use found in Macmillan's Magazine.