Bonfire

So tonight I went to a bonfire at Matt's house and had an awesome time. But on the way home I was thinking... why the heck do we call fires in a fire pit a bonfire? Sure the fire part makes sense but what the heck is up with the bon? However thanks to dictionary.com I didn't have to wonder long before my question was answered!

bon·fire

   [bon-fahy^uhr]  Show IPA

–noun

1.

a large fire built in the open air, for warmth, entertainment, or celebration, to burn leaves, garbage, etc., or as a signal.

2.

any fire built in the open.

Origin: 
1375–1425; late ME bone fire, i.e., a fire with bones for fuel

[Krissy started shooting off some fireworks... or what ever the heck you call these things! Matt had a huge bag so they were being set off all night.]

[Matt getting the fire ready to be lit]

[Krissy helping Matt light the fire]

[Blogspot changed and I can't figure out how to post a video. Click here to see the fire get lit by a roman candle! ]

[When we first got to Matt's we saw the coolest thing: a rainbow, the sun, and the moon... all in the sky at the same time. It was pretty awesome]

Bottom line: Matt Deitrich know how to throw a bonfire like it's nobody's business.