Paraphernalia

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word paraphernalia? Drug paraphernalia? Probably not bridal paraphernalia.
 
The word paraphernalia has its origins in Greek pherne (dowry) and pherein (to carry); i.e., to carry a dowry: in particular, to carry a dowry to a newly married bride’s home.
 
Among other things, Greek para means beside. Greek para (beside) + pherna (dowry) creates Greek parapherna and, later, Latin parapherna (in Roman law, a woman’s property beside or, in addition to, her dowry).
 
The word paraphernalia came to English in the 1650s with a meaning unchanged from ancient times; i.e., paraphernalia was a woman’s personal property which she brought to a marriage along with her dowry. Wikipedia describes such paraphernalia: “A husband could not sell, appropriate, or convey good title to his wife's assets considered paraphernalia without her separate consent. They did not become a part of her husband's estate upon his death, and could be conveyed by a married woman's will.” This view of paraphernalia has been rendered obsolete by modern changes to the law. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraphernalia).
 
By the 1730s, paraphernalia also meant the equipment or apparatus or miscellaneous articles related to a particular occupation or task. Paraphernalia has evolved to mean ‘odds and ends’.
 
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
​​Photo: Nicolas Huk