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

"There's a little too much persiflage around here," he said sternly.

From Project Gutenberg

Forester smiled, but not without anger, at the quiet persiflage of her manner.

From Project Gutenberg

The proprietor of the Kingsbury Tavern smiled indulgently at this persiflage.

From Project Gutenberg

All this persiflage, in harmony with the polemics of the Gorgias, derides and degrades the Rhetors collectively.

From Project Gutenberg

What brilliant effort of persiflage was to follow will never be known, for at that moment came Sanders.

From Project Gutenberg