December 31, 2012
- confetti (noun)
- \kun-FET-ee\
- What does it mean?
- : small bits of brightly colored paper made for throwing (as at weddings)
- How do you use it?
- As the clock struck twelve, my little brother leaped into the air, hurled two fistfuls of confetti skyward, and shouted, "Happy New Year!"
- Are you a word wiz?
Which party-loving people do you think gave us the word "confetti"?
Have you ever been to a parade where the people marching along tossed candy to the crowd? If so, you already know a lot about the history of "confetti." "Confetti" comes from the plural of "confetto," the Italian word for "a little candy or bonbon." The Italians had a custom of throwing candies (or bits of paper meant to imitate candies) at festivals. We borrowed their word and custom to liven up our own celebrations.
