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

On her left hand she wore the wedding circlet, with her engagement-ring and the philopena guard over it.

From Project Gutenberg

"That little one, the guard, was my selection," he replied, indicating the philopena circlet.

From Project Gutenberg

Ruth paid no heed to this; put on her ring again, using the philopena circlet as a guard; then she said, "Petie Trone, Esq., there will be just time before dinner for your Saturday scrubbing."

From Project Gutenberg

I wish to thank him for my philopena, which came late last night.

From Project Gutenberg

"We'll have something better than that, Miss Ruth—a philopena."

From Project Gutenberg