Here's a breakdown of the theory:
* "Parcel" originally meant a "small package" or "small quantity." This meaning evolved to include a group of things considered as one unit.
* "Passel" likely came about through mispronunciation or folk etymology. The word "parcel" might have been misheard as "passel" due to the similar sounds.
* Regional Use: "Passel" is primarily used in the Southern United States and is considered a dialectal term.
Alternative Theories:
* Some speculate that "passel" might be related to the word "parcel" through a connection to "parcel out," meaning to divide into parts. This theory suggests that "passel" might have originally referred to a group of things that were divided out, hence a "passel" of things.
While the exact origin of "passel" remains uncertain, the connection to "parcel" is the most widely accepted theory. It highlights how language can evolve through mispronunciation, regional variations, and folk etymology.