passel

Passel is a noun that denotes a large number or collection. In informal use, especially in American English, it refers to a group of people or things without specifying an exact quantity. Common constructions include phrases like “a passel of” followed by a plural noun, as in “a passel of kids” or “a passel of books.” The term often carries a casual, humorous, or colloquial tone and is less common in formal writing.

Etymology and history are not precisely documented in standard references, but passel is widely regarded as an informal development in English that likely derives from earlier words for a bundle or assortment and became established in American vernacular, with use dating back at least to the 19th century. Its appeal lies in brevity and the approximate sense it conveys, rather than an exact count.

Usage notes include that passel is predominantly regional to American English and is generally avoided in formal or technical contexts. It is best substituted with more precise phrases such as “a large number of,” “many,” or “a great deal of,” when formality or precision is required. In informal speech, however, passel remains a handy way to imply a sizeable yet unspecified amount.

See also: multitudes, lots, heaps, bunch. Further exploration of passel may appear in dictionaries of American regional English, which document its colloquial status and regional flavor.