Everybody knows that the Lighthouse Family's 90's hit "Lifted" was a direct reference to this Easter tradition. But not many people know that it was a prosecutable offence. To lift a person into the air without their permission was a liberty not to be tolerated. Many people considered it to be an excuse to take a peek at another's underthings and sniffed at the idea that it was to honour the risen Lord. Below is a text from a sordid case from the late 19th century...
"The prosecutor, William Pullen, charged Thomas Lawton with being in his house for an unlawful purpose. Defendant entered Mr. Pullen's house, and said he had come to lift his wife, and two men followed defendant to the garden-gate. Prosecutor told defendant to get out, or he would kick him out. He would not allow any one to take such liberties. Defendant thereupon became very abusive. It was stated that defendant was endeavouring to carry out an old Cheshire custom. The men lifted women on Easter Monday, and women lifted men on Easter Tuesday. The magistrates informed defendant he must apologise and pay the costs." — Yorkshire Gazette, April 7th, 1883. (Source - The Folklore Journal 1883)
You can find images of modern miscreants having a go at this filthy custom here...
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