Cottabus

/kɒˈteɪ.bəs/ noun

Definition

An ancient Greek and Roman parlor game in which players attempted to toss wine dregs into a target while reclining, often with amorous or satirical overtones.

Etymology

From Greek 'kotabos.' The exact origin within Greek is unclear, but the game was popular in classical antiquity and described by ancient authors.

Kelly Says

Cottabus sounds silly, but it was a serious aristocratic game—ancient writers devoted passages to it, which tells us that 'trivial' pastimes of the elite often revealed their values, humor, and social hierarchies.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.