kickshaw

American  

[kik-shaw] / ˈkɪkˌʃɔ /

noun

1. a tidbit or delicacy, especially one served as an appetizer or hors d'oeuvre.

2. something showy but without value; trinket; trifle.

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kickshaw British  

/ ˈkɪkˌʃɔː /

noun

1. a valueless trinket

2. archaic a small elaborate or exotic delicacy

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Etymology

Origin of kickshaw

1590–1600; back formation from kickshaws < French quelque chose something (by folk etymology)

Example Sentences

Gewgaw, a shiny trinket Bon Voyage A trinket or a knickknack, an ornament, a kickshaw, a frippery, a gimcrack, a bibelot, a gewgaw .

From Washington Post

Andover, knowing her, imagined that she had been refused some kickshaw, and thought no more about it.

From Project Gutenberg

Poll was a person who rather despised sweeties and kickshaws.

From Project Gutenberg

Somewhere, we think, in the other bag, there should be a cold fowl, or some such kickshaw, with, if we mistake not, a vision of beef, and a certain pewter flask.—Thank you.

From Project Gutenberg

Jacques Bonhomme in Paris has been selling shiploads of Christmas kickshaws to John Robinson in London, and so has thousands of English pounds due to him by the said Robinson.

From Project Gutenberg