jump the broom

denotes an antebellum marriage ritual used by african-american slaves, who were often prevented from legally marrying.

with wide variations, the basic feature of the ritual was that the marriage union was solemnized by a young couple leaping together over a broom. this would be done in the context of a family gathering.

widely practiced in the american south, the ritual may have an african origin, or it may have been adapted from a similar ancient celtic fertility ritual.

“jumping the broom” is currently enjoying a resurgence in popularity as a tribute to the customs of american slaves.
“since legal marriage between us seems impossible, let’s go jump the broom!”
1 more definition
common-law marriage. it consists of two respected friends or relatives holding the ends of a broom about 4 inches from the ground. the happy couple jump together while holding hands. some traditions are – if the broom is held knee-high, maybe you should re-consider because it’ll be a difficult or an impossible jump. if you jump in unison, it’s good luck and means much happiness. you’ll always have two people praying for you two. it’s free. ya might be intoxicated when your partner suggests it. divorce is free and easy….it’s a black thing. an old slave tradition among the gullah-geechee islands in coastal georgia and south carolina.
#1 “my lady’s so crazy, we had to jump a mop because the broom was yellow. see, she hates yellow…”

#2 “her auntee and her daughter held the broom like one inch from the floor. we landed in step and that was eight yrs. ago.”

#3 “dude, you might as well go jump the broom!”