A strip of material gathered or pleated on one edge and used as a decoration on clothing or objects; something decorative but unnecessary.
Possibly from Low German or Dutch 'frul' or related to Frisian. First appeared in English in the 16th century. Originally referred to a plaited or gathered edging, and by extension came to mean any showy but non-essential decoration.
Frills became symbols of wealth and status in the Renaissance—only rich people could afford the fabric and labor to add decorative gathered edges. So calling something 'just a frill' literally meant it was expensive and wasteful, which is why it now means unnecessary.
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