bugiganga, quinquilharia, ninharia
1. a showy but inexpensive piece of jewelry or trinket of little value
She wore a bauble around her neck that caught the light.
Ela usava uma bugiganga no pescoço que refletia a luz.
2. a decorative ball or ornament, especially one hung on a Christmas tree
The Christmas tree was decorated with colorful baubles.
A árvore de Natal estava decorada com bolas coloridas.
3. something attractive but lacking real value or substance; a trinket
He dismissed the argument as mere bauble, devoid of practical merit.
Ele descartou o argumento como mera ninharia, sem mérito prático.
The word 'bauble' is particularly common during the Christmas season in English-speaking countries, where it refers to decorative tree ornaments. In Brazilian Portuguese, 'bugiganga' has a more general connotation of any cheap, showy trinket. The term reflects a certain cultural attitude toward superficial or inexpensive items that are visually appealing but lack intrinsic value.
NYC Slang
tchochke (Yiddish origin, similar concept of cheap trinket)
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