The Romance of Words. TRIVIAL
When we say a thing is trivial we menu that it is of small value or importance. In its original meaning trivial meant “pertaining to cross-roads,” and came from trivium, a place where crossroads intersect the public thoroughfare, which in its turn was made up from tri = three, and via = road, a way. Au early meaning of trivial was trite, well worn, without its being implied that the saying so denominated was of trifling importance. In the Middle Ages the word meant rudimentary or elementary. Later it came to mean “occupying one’s self with trifles; trifling.” , Its present meaning appears to be derived from the fact that the street corners or cross-roads were the favourite places where idlers or loiterers stopped.to discuss worthless gossip, the Idle nothings of the day.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19350119.2.116
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Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 98, 19 January 1935, Page 13
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135The Romance of Words. TRIVIAL Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 98, 19 January 1935, Page 13
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