noun
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.
Vocabulary lists containing persiflage
1984
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
The houses of the Marquis, with all their comforts, were open for him; but the influence of Lord Persiflage was very great, whereas that of the Marquis was next to nothing.
From Marion Fay by Trollope, Anthony
As to the evil done to his "order," that did not affect Lord Persiflage at all.
From Marion Fay by Trollope, Anthony
Lady Persiflage, who was by a year or two the younger of the two, filled a higher position in society than that of the Marchioness herself.
From Marion Fay by Trollope, Anthony
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
