Pronunciation: [pəɹˈa͡ɪ͡ə] (IPA) 
The word "pariah" is spelled with the letters p-a-r-i-a-h. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is pronounced /pəˈraɪə/. The first syllable "pa" is pronounced with a short u sound (/ə/) and the second syllable "ri" is pronounced with a long i sound (/aɪ/). The final syllable "ah" is pronounced with a short a sound (/ə/). This term refers to an outcast or someone who is rejected by society, often due to cultural or social differences.
A pariah is a noun that refers to an individual who is despised, rejected, or ostracized by society. This term is often used to denote a person who is shunned or deliberately excluded due to their perceived deviation from social norms, their background, or their beliefs. Pariahs are typically regarded as outcasts and are subject to social isolation or abandonment.
The origins of the word "pariah" can be traced back to the Tamil language of South India, where it originally referred to members of the low caste formerly known as "untouchables." Over time, the term expanded in its meaning and became more widely used to describe anyone who is treated as an outcast.
Being labeled as a pariah often carries negative connotations, as it implies that the person is regarded as morally or socially unacceptable by the majority of society. This term is commonly applied in various contexts, such as politics, where it can describe individuals or groups that are marginalized due to their unpopular opinions or actions.
It is important to note that the classification of someone as a pariah is subjective, as societal norms and values differ among cultures and communities. However, regardless of the specific reasons for their exclusion, pariahs often experience feelings of alienation, discrimination, and an overwhelming sense of being an outsider.
One of the lowest class of people in certain parts of India without caste; an outcast; one contemned and despised by society.
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 "pariah" comes from the Tamil word "paṟaiyar", which means "drummer". In Tamil society, drummers were regarded as members of a low caste or socially marginalized group. The term "pariah" was first recorded by European travelers during colonial times in South India and was used to describe those who were considered outcasts or untouchables by the higher castes. Over time, the word "pariah" became associated with social outcasts or anyone who is socially rejected or despised.
