palaver

Where does the word "palaver" come from? It comes from Portuguese palavra, and was adopted directly into English (1730s).

Palaver’s story begins in Portuguese: palavra meant “a word, a speech, a discussion.” Literally a word or speech, used by traders for negotiation talks with local leaders. It reached English by 1730s as palaver. Settled as the word for unnecessary or drawn-out talk. Today, palaver means prolonged and often unnecessary discussion or fuss.

1. Stage 1 · Portuguese · 1700s palavra "a word, a speech, a discussion", literally a word or speech, used by traders for negotiation talks with local leaders.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1730s palaver "prolonged, unnecessary discussion or fuss", settled as the word for unnecessary or drawn-out talk.