philopena

[ fil-uh-pee-nuh ]

noun

1. a custom, presumably of German origin, in which two persons share the kernels of a nut and determine that one shall receive a forfeit from the other at a later time upon the saying of a certain word or the performance of a certain action.
2. the thing shared.
3. the forfeit paid.

Word History and Origins

Origin of philopena¹

1830–40, Americanism; earlier philippina < Dutch philippine < German Vielliebchen, diminutive of viellieb very dear; in earlier form viellieb was taken as proper name Philippe Philip and -chen was made into feminine suffix -ina, giving a woman's name; in later form the word was Anglicized along pseudo-classical lines ( philo-, penal )

Example Sentences

I owe him a philopena, and that would have been a splendid way to pay it.

From Project Gutenberg

O, pouted Luella, I dont suppose that meant anything either, for I caught him in a philopena on the way home that day.

From Project Gutenberg

This afternoon Aunt and I hunted all over town for philopena presents.

From Project Gutenberg

There were once a Prince and a Princess who, when quite young, ate a philopena together.

From Project Gutenberg

They often thought of the philopena they had eaten together, and wondered if they should know each other when they met.

From Project Gutenberg