Etymology
The word "palaver" comes from the Portuguese word "palavra," which means "word" or "speech." It was first used in English in the 16th century to refer to the long, ceremonial speeches given by African chiefs.
Meaning
Palaver is a noun that refers to:
Origin
The word "palaver" originated from the Portuguese word "palavra," which in turn comes from the Latin word "parabola," meaning "a comparison or analogy." In the 16th century, Portuguese explorers encountered African chiefs who used long, elaborate speeches to communicate with them and other Europeans. These speeches were often full of metaphors and analogies, and the Europeans found them difficult to understand. As a result, they began to use the word "palaver" to describe these speeches.
Over time, the word "palaver" came to be used more generally to refer to any long, pointless or inconclusive discussion. It is often used in a negative sense to describe talk that is empty or meaningless.
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