• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Zippy Facts Logo

Zippy Facts

Interesting Random Facts

  • Animals
  • Culture
  • Firsts
  • Food
  • Geography
  • Health
  • History
  • Inventions
  • Language
  • Mythology
  • Odds
  • People
  • Religion
  • Science
  • Space
  • Universe
  • World
You are here: Home / Language / Where does the word “paraphernalia” originate and What does paraphernalia mean?

Where does the word “paraphernalia” originate and What does paraphernalia mean?

May 11, 2020 by Karen Hill

In ancient Greece, as well as in some modern countries, a bridegroom received some gift or dowry, money, cattle, or other property, along with his bride, usually from her parents.

This dowry then became his, to dispose of as he might wish. But the bride might also bring with her certain personal property, such as slaves or jewels, for example.

These, under Greek law, her husband could not touch. They were distinctly her own possessions, and were known as parapherna, from para, beyond, and phero, bring; that is, belongings brought beyond those specified in the marriage contract.

In present-day legal usage the Latinized term, paraphernalia, carries the same general interpretation, varying somewhat in our different States.

The term is also used more broadly to designate any sort of miscellaneous equipment possessed by any individual or group.

Related Facts

  • What does the word mugwump mean and Where does the word "mugwump" originate?
  • What Does the Word "Restaurant" Mean In French and How Did the Word For Dining Room Originate?
  • What Does the Word "Gymnasium" Mean in Greek and How Did the Word "Stadium" Originate?
  • How Did the Word "Tip" Originate and What Does the Word For a Gratuity Mean In German?
  • How did the word "idiot" originate and What does the word idiot mean?
  • Where does the word "travail" come from and How did the word "travel" originate?

Filed Under: Language

About Karen Hill

Karen Hill is a freelance writer, editor, and columnist. Born in New York, her work has appeared in the Examiner, Yahoo News, Buzzfeed, among others.

Previous Post: « Where does the word “pariah” come from and What does pariah mean?
Next Post: What does patter mean and Where does the word patter come from? »

Footer

Follow

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • GitHub
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Medium
  • Pinterest
  • StumbleUpon
  • Tumblr
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Categories

Accomplishments Animals Culture Firsts Food Geography Health History Inventions Language Mythology Odds People Religion Science Space Universe World Your Body

About

Zippy Facts empowers the world by serving educational content that is accessible to everyone.

A tribute to growing up, zippyfacts.com showcases interesting and unusual facts about the world.

Our mission is to use technology to facilitate knowledge transfer and sharing.

Copyright © 2021 Zippy Facts

  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy