From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]: Confetti \Con*fet"ti\, n. pl.; sing. -fetto. [It. Cf. Comfit.] 1. Bonbons; sweetmeats; confections. [archaic] [1913 Webster +PJC] 2. [originally, plaster or paper imitations of, or substitutes for, bonbons (confetti[1]).] small bits or streamers of brightly colored paper, thrown in celebration by carnival revelers, at weddings, etc. [Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC] Confidant