persiflage

American  

[pur-suh-flahzh, pair-] / ˈpɜr səˌflɑʒ, ˈpɛər- /

noun

1. light, bantering talk or writing.

   Synonyms:

   badinage, banter

2. a frivolous or flippant style of treating a subject.

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persiflage British  

/ ˈpɜːsɪˌflɑːʒ /

noun

1. light frivolous conversation, style, or treatment; friendly teasing

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Etymology

Origin of persiflage

First recorded in 1750–60; from French, derivative of persifler “to banter,” equivalent to per- prefix meaning “through, thoroughly, very” + siffler “to whistle, hiss,” from Late Latin sifilāre, for Latin sībilāre; see per-, sibilant, -age

Explanation

Persiflage is a teasing kind of banter. After a softball batter strikes out, she can expect to hear some persiflage from her teammates in the dugout. You and a friend might have a joking relationship full of persiflage, or a joking way of gently mocking each other. You can also call any kind of lighthearted talk persiflage — like dinner party small talk. The term was particularly popular in 19th century literature, and its origin traces back to the Latin word for "hiss," sibilare. From that came the French word siffler, "to whistle or hiss," persifler, "banter," and finally persiflage.

Example Sentences

Time—:23.31 :47.28 1:12.24 1:38.77 1:45.83 Winner—B filly 2009, by Delineator - Persiflage by Alphabet Soup Owner—Buffalo Stables.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 12, 2013

Time—:23.31 :47.28 1:12.24 1:38.77 1:45.83 Winner—B filly 2009, by Delineator - Persiflage by Alphabet Soup Owner—Buffalo Stables.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 12, 2013

Persiflage of this kind helped to make the men feel at home.

From The A.E.F. With General Pershing and the American Forces by Broun, Heywood

Lord Persiflage never approved very much of anybody,—but he never threw anybody over.

From Marion Fay by Trollope, Anthony

Lord Persiflage had seen Sir Boreas Bodkin, and Vivian had seen the private secretary of the Postmaster-General.

From Marion Fay by Trollope, Anthony