it remains the custom in britain, on or around 5 november, to let off fireworks. traditionally, in the weeks running up to the 5th, children made "guys"—effigies supposedly of fawkes—usually made from old clothes stuffed with newspaper, and with a grotesque mask, to be burnt on 5 november bonfire. these effigies would be shown in the street, to collect money for fireworks, although this practice is becoming less common. the word "guy" came thus in the 19th century to mean an oddly dressed person, and in the 20th and 21st centuries to mean any male person.