Word of the Day

Did You Know?

Since the 18th century, "parol" has been pretty much confined to oral contracts and the realm of law. No longer is anyone likely to refer to the "sweet parols" of a paramour, as in one 16th-century work. "Parol" brings to mind that other legal word, "parole." Both words lack any connection with law in their original form. They come from Latin "parabola," which means "parable" or "speech." The Latin, in turn, is from Greek "parabole," meaning "comparison." The French created two words (which we then borrowed) from "parabola": "parol," meaning "spoken words," and "parole," for "word of honor." Originally, a parole was a prisoner of war's promise to fulfill certain conditions on consideration of his release.