Worry beads or kombolói, kompoloi (Greek: κομπολόι, bead collection; plural: κομπολόγια, ) is a string of beads manipulated with one hand and used to pass time in Greek and Cypriot culture. They were especially popular until the middle of the 20th century.
Unlike the similar prayer beads used in many religious traditions, including the Greek Orthodox komboskini, worry beads have no religious or ceremonial purpose.
Read more about Worry Beads: Etymology, Purpose and Origin, Features, Use
Famous quotes containing the words worry and/or beads:
“A really tight friendship is when you start to really care about the person. If he gets sick, you kind of start worrying about him—or if he gets hit by a car. An everyday friend, you say, I know that kid, he’s all right, and you don’t really think much of him. But a close friend you worry about more than yourself. Well, maybe not more, but about the same.”
—Anonymous Fifteen-Year-Old Boy. As quoted in Children’s Friendships by Zick Rubin, ch. 3 (1980)
“Tell me how many beads there are
In a silver chain
Of evening rain,
Unravelled from the tumbling main,
And threading the eye of a yellow star:—
So many times do I love again.”
—Thomas Lovell Beddoes (1803–1849)