fallal

American  

[fal-lal] / fælˈlæl /

Or fal-lal

noun

1. a bit of finery; a showy article of dress.

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fallal British  

/ fælˈlæl /

noun

1. a showy ornament, trinket, or article of dress

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Other Word Forms

• fallalery noun

Etymology

Origin of fallal

First recorded in 1700–10; origin uncertain; perhaps an alteration of furbelow ( def. )

Explanation

Fallal is an old fashioned word for costume jewelry or cheap, flashy trimmings on clothing. You might use Halloween as an excuse to dress up in all kinds of crazy fallal. The noun fallal is considered obsolete, or so old fashioned that most people don't know what it means, but it's a perfectly good way to talk about showy bangles or tawdry trinkets. You can also call them fallalery, a slightly more modern, nineteenth century word. The origin of both words is thought to be the French falbala, "trimming or flounce."

Example Sentences

“I got a fly, thinking as you'd have some fallal or other on you; but, bless my heart, you could have walked in that gown,” he said.

From Phoebe, Junior by Oliphant, Mrs. (Margaret)