Palaver - Encyclopedia

GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES

PALAVER (an adaptation of Port. palavra, a word or speech; Ital. parola; Fr. parole, from the Low Lat. parabola, a parable, story, talk; Gr. 'irapaaoX ii, literally "comparison"; the Low Lat. parabolare, " to talk," gives Fr. parle y, " to speak," whence "parley," "parliament," &c.), the name used by the Portuguese traders on the African coast for their conversations and bargaining with the natives. It was introduced into English in the 18th century through English sailors frequenting the Guinea coast. It has now passed into general use among the negroes of West and West Central Africa for any conference, either among themselves or with foreigners. From the amount of unnecessary talk characteristic of such meetings with natives, the word is used of any idle or cajoling talk.