Hanukkah
(n) Alternately, Chanukah. The Jewish Festival of Lights. Commemorates our victorious rebellion against the Greeks in the Maccabean War. There was a subsequent re-dedication of the Temple during which the lamp's oil (there was only enough for one night) miraculously lasted eight nights (hence the nickname.) In remembrance of this, menorahs are lit for 8 nights, fried food (latkes and sufganiot) is consumed en masse, and we play with the dreidel. Children and grown children alike eat Chanukah gelt for no apparent traditional reason. (There are many competing theories as to why this started, but with traditions that involve eating chocolate—even subpar chocolate—it's best not to ask questions.)