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

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

From The Three Musketeers by Dumas père, Alexandre

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

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