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 • Aug. 12, 2021

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

From The Black Moth A Romance of the XVIIIth Century by Heyer, Georgette

“We aren’t got enough to eat in the fo’c’s’le, sir, an’ we wants our proper ’lowance o’ meat, instead of a lot of rotten kickshaw marmalade!”

From Afloat at Last A Sailor Boy's Log of his Life at Sea by Overend, William Heysham

When Mammon advises Swellfoot the Tyrant to refresh himself with A simple kickshaw by your Persian cook Such as is served at the Great King's second table.

From Shelley, Godwin and Their Circle by Brailsford, Henry Noel

Return whence you came; take back those horrible vegetables, and that poor kickshaw!

From The Three Musketeers by Dumas père, Alexandre