Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online

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Kiltgang
(757 words)

1. Definition and distribution

Kiltgang is a term, particularly prevalent in the Alemannic dialect region, for a nocturnal courting custom among young men (Marital choice). The word kilt, already attested in OHG, originally denoted the late evening, later coming to refer to staying up late at night or working late at night. The verbs kilten and kelten, in Alsace, for instance, had a general reference to the custom of meeting after the working day to work or socialize in the Lichtstube or Spinnstube…

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Gestrich, Andreas, “Kiltgang”, in: Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online, Editors of the English edition: Graeme Dunphy, Andrew Gow. Original German Edition: Enzyklopädie der Neuzeit. Im Auftrag des Kulturwissenschaftlichen Instituts (Essen) und in Verbindung mit den Fachherausgebern herausgegeben von Friedrich Jaeger. Copyright © J.B. Metzlersche Verlagsbuchhandlung und Carl Ernst Poeschel Verlag GmbH 2005–2012. Consulted online on 03 October 2023 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2352-0272_emho_COM_022103>
First published online: 2015
First print edition: 20190124



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