Here's how the word evolved:
* 16th Century: In Italy, "fiasco" referred to a large, round bottle used for storing wine.
* 17th Century: The term "fiasco" began to be used figuratively to describe a complete failure, particularly in the context of theatrical productions. This was because if an actor forgot their lines or made a mistake, they might throw a bottle (fiasco) onstage in frustration.
* 18th Century: The word "fiasco" was adopted into English and continued to be used to describe a complete failure or disaster.
Therefore, the word "fiasco" evolved from a literal object (a bottle) to a figurative term for a failure, originating from the theatrical practice of throwing bottles on stage.