persiflage

[pur-suh-flahzh, pair-]

noun

1. light, bantering talk or writing.

   Synonyms: badinage, banter

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

persiflage

/ ˈpɜːsɪˌflɑːʒ /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of persiflage¹

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; per-, sibilant, -age

Word History and Origins

Origin of persiflage¹

C18: via French, from persifler to tease, from per- (intensive) + siffler to whistle, from Latin sībilāre to whistle

Example Sentences

As the Republican-dominated House and Senate continue to move their budget bills toward enactment, we’ve been hearing a lot of hypocritical persiflage about “able-bodied” Americans taking undue advantage of Medicaid and food stamps.

From Los Angeles Times

Maybe that shows that they’ve finally gotten wise to the PR persiflage of Big Pharma.

From Los Angeles Times

This is just PR persiflage, and you can safely ignore it.

From Los Angeles Times

None of this will keep Republicans and conservatives from attacking the reconciliation bill with smoke, mirrors and persiflage.

From Los Angeles Times

Notwithstanding the Tea Party persiflage about freedom of choice at the lightbulb counter, it’s probably more appropriate to see the issue as part and parcel of conservatives’ broader war on energy efficiency policies.

From Los Angeles Times