- parody
- 1590s (first recorded use in English is in Ben Jonson), from or in imitation of L. parodia "parody," from Gk. paroidia "burlesque song or poem," from para- "beside, parallel to" (in this case, "mock-") + oide "song, ode" (see ode). The meaning "poor or feeble imitation" is from 1830. The verb is attested from c.1745. Related: Parodic; parodical.