13 rare photos from a 1942 New Year's party show what's changed — and what hasn't.
73 years ago, the Di Costanzo family hosted an epic New Year's Eve throw down at their restaurant on Mulberry Street in New York City.
Photo by Marjorie Collins/Farm Security Administration, Office of War Information.
The venue? Marconi's restaurant, in Little Italy, which the Di Costanzo family owned and operated.
There was drinking, eating, dancing, celebrating, ... and more drinking.
These incredible images — featured in Yale University's incredible archive of (largely rarely-seen) photos taken by New Deal photographers in the '30s and '40s — are a fascinating window into how New Year's was celebrated over seven decades ago, at least by one New York family.
The drink selection might have been a bit more limited, and rogue castanet dancers were probably a little more likely to show up back then, but otherwise — if the photos are to be believed — not much has changed.
1. Mrs. Di Costanzo helps her chef cut bread for the party.
Photo by Marjorie Collins/Farm Security Administration, Office of War Information.
Anyone else suddenly hungry?
2. Chef's got something going in the frying pan too...
Photo by Marjorie Collins/Farm Security Administration, Office of War Information.
Is it lunchtime? Dinnertime? My goodness, just please say it's time to eat.
3. ...while simultaneously assembling two giant sausage-and-peppers subs.
Photo by Marjorie Collins/Farm Security Administration, Office of War Information.
This guy is my hero.
4. Mr. and Mrs. Di Costanzo toast the new year at the bar.
Photo by Marjorie Collins/Farm Security Administration, Office of War Information.
Salute!
5. While the couple toast, the man sitting next to them is entranced by ... something off camera.
Photo by Marjorie Collins/Farm Security Administration, Office of War Information.
"Hold on a sec. This play is really important for my fantasy team."
6. Even though there are a few customers in the restaurant, the family gathers around a big table in the back to celebrate.
Photo by Marjorie Collins/Farm Security Administration, Office of War Information.
Not with the family at the table is the Di Costanzo's son. Like many young men at the time — and many American men and women now — he was serving in the military and away from family, possibly overseas. There's a picture of him on the wall to the left, under the small American flag.
7. Another toast, this time with the whole gang!
Photo by Marjorie Collins/Farm Security Administration, Office of War Information.
Once more, with feeling!
8. At the bar, the Di Costanzo daughters (presumably) discuss serious family matters.
Photo by Marjorie Collins/Farm Security Administration, Office of War Information.
"Can you believe cousin Dot is 20 years old and still not married."
"Cousin Dot doesn't have to conform to the rigid patriarchal expectations society imposes on young women!"
"Yes she does. It's the '40s."
"Oh, good point."
9. But ultimately, even they just want to drink.
Photo by Marjorie Collins/Farm Security Administration, Office of War Information.
In all of recorded history, there was never a family more serious about its toasting.
10. Oh, and there was dancing.
Photo by Marjorie Collins/Farm Security Administration, Office of War Information.
This woman came in to grab some food and just decided to start dancing. She's absolutely crushing it with those castanets.
11. And more dancing!
Photo by Marjorie Collins/Farm Security Administration, Office of War Information.
The kid up front is clearly feeling some feelings.
12. Mama looks pleased at the end of the night
Photo by Marjorie Collins/Farm Security Administration, Office of War Information.
She just threw a hell of a party and she clearly knows it. She's earned every sip of that Chianti.13. The next morning, children blow horns on top of a giant dirt pile on nearby Bleecker Street to ring in the new year.
Photo by Marjorie Collins/Farm Security Administration, Office of War Information.
Can we please get this in Times Square this year? I'm looking at you, CNN.
Happy 2016/1943!
Photo by Marjorie Collins/Farm Security Administration, Office of War Information.
If anyone has a line on where I can get one of those seven-decade-old hoagies, please let me know.
Seriously. Please.
There's a reason why some people can perfectly copy accents, and others can't
Turns out, there's a neurodivergent link.
A woman in black long sleeve shirt stands in front of mirror.
Have you ever had that friend who goes on vacation for four days to London and comes back with a full-on Queen's English posh accent? "Oooh I left my brolly in the loo," they say, and you respond, "But you're from Colorado!" Well, there are reasons they (and many of us) do that, and usually it's on a pretty subconscious level.
It's called "accent mirroring," and it's actually quite common with people who are neurodivergent, particularly those with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). According Neurolaunch, the self-described "Free Mental Health Library," "Accent mirroring, also known as accent adaptation or phonetic convergence, is the tendency to unconsciously adopt the accent or speech patterns of those around us. This linguistic chameleon effect is not unique to individuals with ADHD, but it appears to be more pronounced and frequent in this population."
Essentially, when people have conversations, we're constantly "scanning" for information—not just the words we're absorbing, but the inflection and tone. "When we hear an accent, our brains automatically analyze and categorize the phonetic features, prosody, and intonation patterns," writes Neurolaunch. For most, this does result in copying the accent of the person with whom we're speaking. But those with ADHD might be more sensitive to auditory cues. This, "coupled with a reduced ability to filter out or inhibit the impulse to mimic…could potentially explain the increased tendency for accent mirroring."
While the article explains further research is needed, they distinctly state that, "Accent mirroring in individuals with ADHD often manifests as an unconscious mimicry of accents in social situations. This can range from subtle shifts in pronunciation to more noticeable changes in intonation and speech rhythm. For example, a person with ADHD might find themselves unconsciously adopting a Southern drawl when conversing with someone from Texas, even if they’ve never lived in the South themselves."
People are having their say online. On the subreddit r/ADHDWomen, a thread began: "Taking on accents is an ADHD thing?" The OP shares, "My whole life, I've picked up accents. I, myself, never noticed, but everyone around me would be like, 'Why are you talking like that??' It could be after I watched a show or movie with an accent or after I've traveled somewhere with a different accent than my 'normal.'
They continue, "Apparently, I pick it up fast, but it fades out slowly. Today... I'm scrolling Instagram, I watch a reel from a comedian couple (Darcy and Jeremy. IYKYK) about how Darcy (ADHD) picks up accents everywhere they go. It's called ADHD Mirroring??? And it's another way of masking."
(The OP is referring to Darcy Michaels and his husband Jeremy Baer, who are both touring comedians based in Canada.)
Hundreds of people on the Reddit thread alone seem to relate. One comments, "Omfg I've done this my whole life; I'll even pick up on the pauses/spaces when I'm talking to someone who is ESL—but English is my first language lol."
Sometimes, it can be a real issue for those around the chameleon. "I accidentally mimicked a waitress's weird laugh one time. As soon as she was out of earshot, my family started to reprimand me, but I was already like 'oh my god I don’t know why I did that, I feel so bad.'"
Many commenters on TikTok were shocked to find out this can be a sign of ADHD. One jokes, "Omg, yes, at a store the cashier was talking to me and she was French. She's like 'Oh are you French too? No, I'm not lol. I'm very east coast Canada."
And some people just embrace it and make it work for them. "I mirror their words or phrase! I’m 30. I realized I start calling everyone sweetie cause my manager does & I work at coffee shop."
This article originally appeared in May.