ephemera

Definition

Items of collectible interest that were originally created for a short-term, practical purpose and not intended to be saved, such as pamphlets, tickets, or informal notes.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek 'ephemeros,' meaning 'lasting only a day.' The word entered English to describe things that are short-lived, eventually expanding to specifically categorize ephemeral printed materials.

In the news

In the article, the term refers to the rare, paper-based documents and secondary source materials Gordon McCann saved that provide unique insight into regional Ozarks history. These items are valuable historical evidence despite their initially transient nature.

Gordon McCann, champion of Ozarks culture and music, dies at 94

Springfield Daily Citizen

Related words