proverbial

the word 'proverbial' is built directly upon the noun 'proverb', which entered english from old french 'proverbe', itself from latin 'proverbium'. this latin term is a compound of 'pro-' (meaning "forth, before, in public") and 'verbum' (meaning "word"), thus originally signifying "a set of words put forth publicly" or a common adage. the suffix '-ial', of latin origin via old french, is a common adjectival formative. therefore, 'proverbial' literally means "of or pertaining to a proverb." its extended meaning of "widely known and spoken of" logically derives from the nature of proverbs, which are familiar sayings that circulate within a culture, making something "proverbial" akin to being as famous as a common saying.

Structure: proverb + ial proverb (from latin 'proverbium', meaning "a common saying, proverb") + ial (a latin-derived suffix forming adjectives meaning "of, relating to, or characterized by").