The word "pannier" is spelled with two "n"s and can be pronounced as /ˈpæniər/. The "a" is pronounced as in "cat", and the "i" is pronounced as in "hit". The word "pannier" refers to a basket, often made of woven material, used to carry goods on the back of an animal. It's commonly used in the context of cycling, where a pannier is a bag or basket used to carry items on a bike.
A pannier refers to a type of basket or bag that is attached to the sides or rear of a bicycle to carry items while riding. It is typically made of durable materials, such as canvas or nylon, with sturdy hooks or straps for secure attachment to the bicycle frame. Panniers are commonly used by cyclists who need to transport personal belongings, groceries, or equipment when commuting or touring.
The term "pannier" can also describe a type of storage container used in various other contexts. For instance, in the context of hiking or backpacking, a pannier may refer to a large bag or sack that is carried on one's back or attached to the sides of a pack animal, such as a horse or mule, to carry camping gear, food, or other supplies. In the equestrian world, panniers are detachable saddlebags that are fastened to a pack saddle to transport items during horseback riding or packing trips.
Furthermore, the term "pannier" can refer to a basket or container that is hung on either side of a donkey, camel, or other pack animal to carry loads in agricultural or industrial settings. This type of pannier is often made of woven materials such as wicker or rattan and is designed to evenly distribute weight while providing stable transportation for goods.
Overall, a pannier is a versatile and practical storage solution that can be found in various forms depending on the mode of transportation and purpose intended.
A wicker-basket; a basket slung across a horse or donkey for carrying light articles.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "pannier" has an interesting etymology. It comes from the Old French word "panier", which originally meant a large basket or container made of wicker or other flexible material. The Old French word, in turn, was derived from the Latin word "panarium", meaning a breadbasket or a container for bread.
The Latin word "panarium" was derived from the Latin word "panis", which means bread. This connection with bread likely stemmed from the fact that woven baskets or containers like panniers were historically used for carrying and storing bread.
Over time, the meaning of "pannier" expanded beyond the specific reference to bread containers. Today, the term is commonly used to refer to a pair of baskets, bags, or containers that are attached to the sides of a bicycle or pack animal for carrying items.