picayune etymology

Etymology:

• French: piecaille "small change"
• Latin: pelica "woodpecker" (probably borrowed from Celtic)

Meaning:

• Trivial, petty, or insignificant

Origin:

The word "picayune" has an interesting and somewhat convoluted history. It originated in the 16th century from the French term piecaille, meaning "small change." This term, in turn, was derived from the Latin word pelica, which referred to the woodpecker. It is believed that the association between woodpeckers and small change arose from the practice of using copper coins to make holes in trees to attract the birds.

In the 17th century, the word "picayune" was introduced to English and began to be used to describe anything that was considered trivial or insignificant. It was often used in a derogatory or dismissive sense to refer to something that was worthless or of little value. Over time, the word's meaning has remained relatively consistent, although its usage has become somewhat less common in recent decades.

picayune relate terms

• little

  Etymology Little is from Middle English litel which is from Old English lytel mean

• petty

  Etymology The word petty comes from the Late Latin word pettifogger which was a term

• trivial

  Etymology The term trivial is derived from the Latin word trivialis which means per

• real

  Etymology The word etymology comes from the Greek words étymon meaning true meani

• camera

  Etymology The word camera is derived from the Latin word camera meaning room or c

• horizon

  Etymology Middle English orizont from Old French orizont from Late Latin horizon fr

• earnest

  Etymology The word earnest originated from the Middle English word ernest which deri

• shadow

  Etymology Old English sceadu from Proto Germanic skadwa meaning darkness shade

• curtail

  Etymology Middle English curtailen from Anglo Norman French curtailer Ultimately

• analogy

  Etymology The word analogy comes from the Greek word analogia which is itself derive