CONVERSATION PIECE Meaning and
Definition
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A conversation piece is a noun that refers to an object, artwork, or topic of conversation that catches attention and sparks discussion among people. It is something that is unusual, interesting, or thought-provoking, often serving as a focal point for social interactions. Conversation pieces are designed to stimulate dialogue, debate, and engagement, enhancing social gatherings, parties, or even individual encounters.
The term originated in the 18th century England, where it referred to a painting or sculpture that was displayed in a prominent place within a home to incentivize conversations. These pieces often depicted intriguing or unconventional subjects, aiming to captivate and elicit reactions from viewers. Over time, the concept of conversation piece expanded beyond artworks and encompassed any object or topic of interest that could facilitate meaningful and engaging discussions.
Contemporary examples of conversation pieces include unique decorative items, peculiar gadgets, unusual collectibles, or even extraordinary personal stories. Their purpose is to break the ice, create a shared point of interest, and promote interactions among individuals who may initially have had little in common. By encouraging discussions, conversation pieces enrich social exchanges and help to bridge gaps, stimulating the flow of ideas and fostering connections between people.
Common Misspellings for CONVERSATION PIECE
- xonversation piece
- vonversation piece
- fonversation piece
- donversation piece
- cinversation piece
- cknversation piece
- clnversation piece
- cpnversation piece
- c0nversation piece
- c9nversation piece
- cobversation piece
- comversation piece
- cojversation piece
- cohversation piece
- concersation piece
- conbersation piece
- congersation piece
- confersation piece
- convwrsation piece
Etymology of CONVERSATION PIECE
The term "conversation piece" originated in the 18th century and has its roots in the French phrase "pièce de conversation", which literally means "piece of conversation". The word "conversation" comes from the Latin word "conversatio", which means "act of living with". It evolved to refer to the exchange of thoughts and ideas between people. In English, "conversation piece" started being used in the mid-18th century to describe an object or artwork intended to spark or facilitate discussion among people. It typically referred to paintings that depicted informal social gatherings or interesting scenes, serving as a focal point for conversation and engagement. Over time, the term expanded beyond art to encompass any object or topic that becomes a focus of conversation among individuals.
Idioms with the word CONVERSATION PIECE
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a conversation piece
The idiom "a conversation piece" refers to an interesting or unusual object or topic that serves as a starting point for conversation or discussion. It is often something out of the ordinary that catches people's attention and sparks curiosity or engagement.
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conversation piece
A conversation piece is an object or topic that is interesting, unusual, or unique, and is used to generate conversation or interest among people. It is often displayed or brought up in social situations to spark discussion or break the ice.
Similar spelling words for CONVERSATION PIECE
