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

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

What," cried the Captain with a sneer, "I suppose this may be in your French taste? it's like enough, for it's all kickshaw work.

From Evelina, Or, the History of a Young Lady's Entrance into the World by Burney, Fanny

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 Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 60, No. 372, October 1846 by Various