The Spanish word 'paria' (meaning 'outcast' or 'pariah') has an interesting journey from Tamil, a language spoken in southern India. It originated from the Tamil word 'paṟai', which referred to a type of drum. From this, came the word 'paṟaiyar', meaning 'drummer' - referring to people who played these drums. The word entered Portuguese as 'pária' during their colonial presence in India, where it took on a more negative meaning of 'outcast'. Finally, it made its way into Spanish maintaining this meaning of a social outcast or pariah.

This word appears to be relatively unique in Spanish, without many common related words derived from the same Tamil source.

English speakers might recognize this word's connection to 'pariah', which means the same thing - a social outcast or someone who is shunned by society. Like Spanish 'paria', the English word 'pariah' also traces back to the same Tamil origins, referring to drum players who became associated with a particular caste in Indian society.