ephemera

See also: Ephemera

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Ancient Greek ἐφήμερᾰ (ephḗmera), neuter plural form of ἐφήμερος (ephḗmeros).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɪˈfɛməɹə/

• Audio (Southern England):

  (file)

Noun

ephemera

1. plural of ephemeron (“transitory thing”)

Noun

ephemera pl (plural only)

1. Things without long-term durability: transient things.

   the ephemera of springtime

   1. Manmade objects that are short-lived (under usual conditions), usually because their design intent is to be inexpensively made and thus affordably bought, a goal that often is an engineering trade-off versus durability.
      1. Especially, such ephemera that are collectibles, such as (originally) cheap publications (e.g., pamphlets, brochures), single-use packaging from packaged goods, and giveaway or throwaway trinkets.

         vintage ephemera

         • 2004, Erikia Ghumm, Tags Reinvented, Memory Makers, →ISBN, page 86:

           Vintage ephemera is similar to modern ephemera in that it consists of paper items that were designed to be short-lived. In past eras, people often saved everything from scraps of wrapping paper, greeting cards, matchbooks, paper coasters and other items that could be reused or that held personal significance. Consequently, it is relatively easy to find pieces of vintage ephemera at antique shops, flea markets, garage sales, online auction sites and Internet shops […]

         • 2014, Brian Coleman, Vintage Ephemera: From the Collection of Cavallini & Co., Gibbs Smith, →ISBN:

           The appeal of certain pieces of ephemera lies in their design quality, like my tea bag tag. Yet another reason for assembling a collection is the desire to travel back in time and connect to another era. Historically minded collectors may choose to focus on World War II memorabilia or a particular World's Fair or Exposition. The desire to collect often encompasses more than one of these reasons. Ephemera takes on added significance precisely because of the unique, idiosyncratic […]

         • 2023 January 25, “Stop & Examine”, in RAIL, number 975, page 71:

           Now the model sits on a shelf in York's 'Warehouse' (known these days as the 'North Shed'), together with racks full of lamps, cutlery, and other ephemera from half-forgotten railway companies of long ago.

         • 2023 May 13, Lilah Raptopoulos, “The charms of New York's Antiquarian book fair”, in FT Weekend, Life & Arts, page 21:

           Everything at the fair was considered “antiquarian books or ephemera”. Ephemera are things like maps, photos, posters, menus, autographs. A pair of shoes worn in Singin' in the Rain. Anything considered “historical evidence”.

      2. (library science) Published single-sheet or single page documents which are meant to be thrown away after one use.
      3. (by extension) Transitory audiovisual matter not intended to be retained or preserved.

         video ephemera

         audio ephemera

Related terms

• ephemeral (adj)
• ephemerally (adverb)

 

Translations

short lived items

• Polish: efemeryda f

library science

• Polish: akcydens (pl) m

audiovisual material

References

• “ephemera”, in Collins English Dictionary.