cane chewing

cane chewing n Also cane chew, cane chewing contest, ~ party, sugarcane chew(ing) Gulf States

A social gathering at which sugarcane is chewed.

1890 Daily News (Pensacola FL) 11 Nov [4]/2, There was a sugar cane chewing on Tuesday night of last week at the milliner shop of the Misses McArthur and Bayne. It was given by the young ladies of Bagdad. 1900 Macon Telegraph (GA) 25 Nov 1/3, The young people of Perry . . . enjoyed a cane chewing at the home of Mr. W. F. Bennett Friday evening. 1905 Atlanta Constitution (GA) 24 Dec sec B 9/5, Miss Bessie Singleton delightfully entertained a few friends with a cane chewing contest Thursday evening. Miss Singleton and Mr. Marion Brown were the successful contestants. 1913 Baldwin Times (Bay Minette AL) [16 Oct 5]/1, The ninth and tenth grades of the Bay Minette High School were entertained at the home of W. T. Bush last Friday evening with a “cane chew.” 1919 Tampa Morning Tribune (FL) 5 Dec 10/3, The Wesley Boble [sic] class and Epworth League enjoyed a “cane chewing” party at the home of Mr. and Mrs. D. C. McMullen. . . About thirty-five young people were present. 1928 Longview Daily News (TX) 10 Nov 5/4, A short discussion was held concerning the cane chew to be held Friday, after which we were dismissed with the scout oath. 1941 Hattiesburg Amer. (MS) 5 Dec 4/4, The American sugar cane league shipped a ton of cane to Houston, Tex., last week for a “sugar cane chew” held by former Louisiana residents now living in Houston. More than 200 persons chewed on the cane in regular cane brake country style. 1948 Simpson Co. News (Mendenhall MS) 28 Oct [2]/4, Miss Peggy Whitman . . entertained a number of friends at a cane chewing party honoring Adrian Anders on Tuesday before he left for Summit. . . A prize was given for the one chewing the most cane. 1973 Free Press (Diboll TX) 25 Oct 2/5, Had an old time cane chewing party. There were folks there from 50 to 75 years old and all chewed cane. All went to the cane patch by tractor and trailer, had a big log heap fire for light and good black coffee. 1991 Pensacola News–Journal (FL) 12 Oct sec D 3/1, “We would have peanut boilings and cane chewings and swipe a watermelon or two,” says Herman Armstrong, 64.