The Spanish word 'paperas' (meaning 'mumps') has an interesting etymology that traces back to Latin. It starts with the Latin baby-talk word 'pappa' meaning 'baby food', which led to the colloquial Latin verb 'pappare' meaning 'to eat'. This evolved into Spanish 'papar' (also meaning 'to eat' colloquially) and then 'papo' meaning 'throat or gullet'.

The word 'papera' was formed by combining 'papo' with the relational suffix '-era', essentially referring to a condition affecting the throat/neck area. The plural form 'paperas' is now the standard term for mumps, likely because the disease characteristically causes swelling on both sides of the neck.

Some related simpler Spanish words include 'papo' (throat/gullet) and the colloquial verb 'papar' (to eat). These connections make sense since mumps affects the throat and neck area, and the etymology is connected to eating and food. The word 'papada' (double chin) is another related term from the same root, all connecting to the general area of the throat and neck.

While there aren't direct English cognates from this specific Latin root 'pappa', English does have some baby-talk words for food that developed similarly, like 'pap' (soft food for infants) and 'papa' (baby food). These words, like the Spanish etymology, originated from the natural sounds babies make when eating.