philopena

[ fil-uh-pee-nuh ]

/ ˌfɪl əˈpi nə /

noun

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.

the thing shared.

the forfeit paid.

Nearby words

philologist, philology, philomel, philomela, philomelides, philopena, philophobia, philoprogenitive, philos., philosophaster, philosophe

Also fillipeen.

Origin of philopena

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 (cf. philo-, penal)

Examples from the Web for philopena

Another, and highly reprehensible way of extorting a gift, is to have what is called a philopena with a gentleman.
The Ladies' Guide to True Politeness and Perfect Manners|Eliza Leslie
O, pouted Luella, I dont suppose that meant anything either, for I caught him in a philopena on the way home that day.
Aunt Crete's Emancipation|Grace Livingston Hill
On her left hand she wore the wedding circlet, with her engagement-ring and the philopena guard over it.
Horace Chase|Constance Fenimore Woolson
This afternoon Aunt and I hunted all over town for philopena presents.
Polly the Pagan|Isabel Anderson

He would go away, and see if he could find the Princess with whom he had eaten a philopena.
The Bee-Man of Orn and Other Fanciful Tales|Frank R. Stockton