Monday word: picayune

[ersatz-read.livejournal.com]

picayune (pĭk′ə-yo͞on′)
adjective
1. Of little or small importance.
2. Petty; small-minded.
noun
1. Something of little value; a trifle.
2. A half-real (an old Spanish coin).
3. Any U.S. coin of small value, such as a nickel.

Etymology:  French picaillon, small coin

The New Orleans Times-Picayune does not print picayune stories;
it received its name from the fact that its original price (in the mid-1800s) was one picayune.



And of course, there's the Bloom Picayune.

Comments

[prettygoodword.livejournal.com]

One picayune in noun sense 2 or sense 3?

[ersatz-read.livejournal.com]

sense 2.
According to Wikipedia:
"Aside from being used in Spanish territories, the picayune and other Spanish currency was used throughout the colonial United States. Spanish dollars were made legal tender in the U.S. by an act on February 9, 1793. They remained so until demonetization on February 21, 1857."

[prettygoodword.livejournal.com]

Coo.

[med_cat]

Very interesting etymology! I've always wondered at the newspaper's odd name, but never investigated further; now I know where it comes from :)