Rococo

The *history* of this word appears to be involved in uncertainty. Some French authorities derive it from "*rocaille*," rock-work, pebbles for a grotto, &c.; others from "*Rocco*," an architect (whose existence, however, I cannot trace), the author, it is to be supposed, of the antiquated, unfashionable, and false style which the word "Rococo" is employed to designate. The *use* of the word is said to have first arisen in France towards the end of the reign of Louis XV. or the beginning of that of Louis XVI., and it is now employed in the above senses, not only in architecture, but in literatur…