sb. and a. [f. the verbal phrase stir up: see STIR v. 16.]
A. sb. The action of stirring up, or condition of being stirred up; agitation, commotion.
1838. T. Hook, in New Monthly Mag., LIV., Dec., 435. The stir-up of the ashes, of which the artificial soil is thereabouts composed, is, as I know, not delightful.
1845. Browning, Flight of Duchess, xvii. How it gives the heart and soul a stir-up As if [etc.].
1900. Daily News, 17 Oct., 6/7. The stir up at Oxford afforded a lesson for the whole country.
1908. Westm. Gaz., 16 Dec., 14/3. The ‘stir-up’ is welcomed, however, as it will disturb the food on the rocky ground and sand-banks.
B. adj. or attrib.
1. Having the quality of stirring up; rousing.
1890. My Curates, ii. (ed. 8), 12. I was aware of my own shortcomings, and want of power to fulfil the office of a ‘stir-up’ preacher.
2. Stir-up Sunday (colloq.): the Sunday next before Advent: so called from the opening words of the Collect for the day.
The name is jocularly associated with the stirring of the Christmas mincemeat, which it was customary to begin making in that week.
a. 1825. Forby, Voc. E. Anglia, Stir-up-Sunday, the last Sunday after Trinity.
1854. Miss Baker, Northampt. Gloss., Stir-up Sunday, the twenty-fifth or last Sunday after Trinity; on which day the Collect in the Book of Common Prayer commences with the words ‘Stir up,’ from which this name has arisen.
1867. Hurst Johnian Mag., Dec., 308. Stir-up Sunday. The sermon on this day was preached by the Ven. the Archdeacon of Chichester.
1904. Daily Chron., 30 Nov., 8/4. I believe those who love Christmas most ardently are the boarding school boys and girls, who have just noted with a thrill of joy ‘Stir-up Sunday!’
