- Today's Word
Palaver
[puh-LAV-er]
Definition
- (noun) Prolonged and idle discussion, chatter, or gossip. It can also mean a conference or discussion, especially one involving tedious or time-consuming talk. In some contexts, it can imply unnecessary fuss or complication.
Example
After hours of palaver about trivial matters, the committee finally got around to discussing the important issues on the agenda.
Fun Fact
The word “palaver” has an interesting journey through languages. It originated from the Portuguese word “palavra” (meaning “word” or “speech”), which came from the Latin “parabola.” It entered English through West African trade languages in the 18th century, where it was used to describe the sometimes lengthy negotiations between European traders and local people.
(noun) A burden, duty, or responsibility—especially one that is difficult or unwelcome.
The onus of proving the theory fell on the scientists who proposed it.
From Latin onus, meaning “load” or “burden.”