In the 18th century, the Swedish government made coffee and its paraphernalia (including cups and dishes) illegal for its supposed ties to rebellious sentiment.
GONFALON
Etymology
Noun
gonfalon (plural gonfalons)
A standard or ensign, consisting of a pole with a crosspiece from which a banner is suspended, especially as used in church processions, but also for civic and military display.
Source: Wiktionary
Gon"fa*lon, Gon"fa*non, n. Etym: [OE. gonfanoun, OF. gonfanon, F. gonfalon, the same word as F. confalon, name of a religious brotherhood, fr. OHG. gundfano war flag; gund war (used in comp., and akin to AS. gu\'eb) + fano cloth, flag; akin to E. vane; cf. AS. gu\'ebfana. See Vane, and cf. Confalon.]
1. The ensign or standard in use by certain princes or states, such as the mediæval republics of Italy, and in more recent times by the pope.
2. A name popularly given to any flag which hangs from a crosspiece or frame instead of from the staff or the mast itself. Standards and gonfalons, 'twixt van and rear, Stream in the air. Milton.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
29 March 2025
THOUGHTLESS
(adjective) without care or thought for others; “the thoughtless saying of a great princess on being informed that the people had no bread; ‘Let them eat cake’”
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