parody

Where does the word "parody" come from? It comes from Greek parodia, and was adopted directly into English (1590s).

Parody’s story begins in Greek: parodia meant “a song sung in imitation.” Literally a song sung beside, from para- (beside, against) and oide (song). It reached English by 1590s as parody. Settled as the English word for a comic imitation of a work's style. Today, parody means a humorous imitation of a work, style, or genre, exaggerated for comic effect.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient parodia "a song sung in imitation", literally a song sung beside, from para- (beside, against) and oide (song).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1590s parody "a comic imitation of a work's style for humorous effect", settled as the English word for a comic imitation of a work's style.