gewgaw
[/ˈɡjuːɡɔː/ or /ˈɡuːɡɔː/]
nounmasculinepl: gewgaws
bugiganga, quinquilharia, tranquinha
1. a small, showy ornament or trinket of little value; a knick-knack
The shop window was filled with gewgaws and souvenirs.
A vitrine da loja estava cheia de bugigangas e lembranças.
2. something gaudy or flashy but lacking substance or worth
He dismissed the award as just another gewgaw.
Ele descartou o prêmio como apenas outra bugiganga.
The term 'gewgaw' reflects English-American consumer culture criticism, often used dismissively to describe mass-produced souvenirs and cheap decorative items. It's particularly common in antique shops, tourist destinations, and vintage contexts. In Brazil, 'bugiganga' carries similar connotations of cheapness and poor quality, often used humorously. The word's origin is onomatopoetic, dating back to the 17th century, mimicking the sound of something jingling or rattling.
NYC Slang
tchotchke (Yiddish origin, commonly used in NYC for small worthless items)
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