trivia

Definition

Insignificant trifles of little importance, especially items of unimportant information; froth.

Etymology

PIE word *tréyes From Latin trivia, plural of trivium (“place where three roads meet”). The term came to be used for any public place, and then for anything commonplace. Furthermore, because the beginners' course at university was called trivium, the word came to be used only for anything basic, simple and trivial.

Example Sentences

• "These trivia take up too much of the day."
• "This trivia takes up too much of the day."
• "There is the story of the famous Hollywood glamour photographer who cooled his heels around Washington for three months while waiting for one of our leading commanders, and then was granted exactly 15 minutes for the sitting. […] Our military leaders simply don't have time for such trivia. Thank God!"

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