If we pay attention to its etymology, this word comes from the Latin miscellanea and this from the verb miscere, which means to mix or combine. It is used in those contexts in which different or unrelated things are presented in the same area.
A type of business establishment in Colombia and Mexico
Some shops sell a wide variety of products and there is no connection between them. In the speech of Colombians and Mexicans these businesses are known as miscellaneous. Typical examples in this sense are grocery stores, tobacconists or stationery stores.
The historical origin of these establishments is related to the pre-Hispanic cultures of Latin America, since at that time the commercial activity was carried out in popular markets in which there were establishments dedicated to very varied products. From the consumer's point of view, these stores are interesting because it is possible to purchase a wide range of products there.
In the written press
In the written media there are all kinds of fixed sections, such as the editorial, local and international news, events, sports, etc. In the miscellaneous section the reader finds a mixture of information: curiosities, articles about everyday life, interesting facts about a subject, jokes, hobbies, etc.
A literary genre that is considered the precedent of the essay
In the Renaissance the figure of the humanist acquired its true and full meaning. The humanist was a scholar interested in all kinds of subjects (philosophy, science, medicine, art ...). His intellectual restlessness towards all kinds of areas ended up becoming a specific literary genre. In the miscellany books there was no defined theme, but rather a mixture of different knowledge was presented. The purpose of these publications was primarily educational.
Marco Polo's stories about his trips to the Orient are a clear example of this narrative genre. In them the author explains the route he followed to complete his commercial activity, but also the cultural traditions of the visited territories or his personal assessments of the different ways of life. This narrative format caught the attention of European readers and for this reason the miscellaneous genre became fashionable.
Multidisciplinary spaces
Certain cultural centers avoid specialization and promote highly diverse creative activities. Some libraries do not limit themselves to the classic book loan activities, but also hold talks, workshops, exhibitions or conferences.
This approach is a miscellany, since different dimensions or aspects end up having a common space.
Photo: Fotolia - Ruslan
