pettifog

American  

[pet-ee-fog, -fawg] / ˈpɛt iˌfɒg, -ˌfɔg /

verb (used without object)

pettifogged, pettifogging

1. to bicker or quibble over trifles or unimportant matters.

2. to carry on a petty, shifty, or unethical law business.

3. to practice chicanery of any sort.

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pettifog British  

/ ˈpɛtɪˌfɒɡ /

verb

1. (intr) to be a pettifogger

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Other Word Forms

• pettifogger noun
• pettifoggery noun

Etymology

Origin of pettifog

First recorded in 1605–15; back formation from pettifogger “ambulance chaser,” equivalent to petty “inferior, secondary” + fogger “shyster,” from Middle Low German voger or Middle Dutch voeger “an arranger, a fixer”; akin to Old English gefōg “a joining, a joint”; petty

Explanation

To pettifog is to argue over small, unimportant issues. If you and your brother pettifog over who gets to sit in the front seat when your mom offers a ride to school, you may both end up taking the bus instead. If you're looking for a colorful, old-fashioned way to say "quibble" or "squabble," pettifog is the word for you. It shares a root with petty, or "trivial," but otherwise its origin is a bit hazy. Experts see a connection to pettifactor, "legal agent who undertakes small cases." And a pettifogger, rather than a quibbler, is a sneaky lawyer, or one who "deals with petty cases."

Example Sentences

To pettifog is ‘to engage in legal chicanery’ or ‘to quibble over insignificant details,’” the dictionary advised.

From Washington Times • Feb. 2, 2020

It wouldn't do me any good to pettifog in this matter.

From Opening a Chestnut Burr by Roe, Edward Payson

Thurston then proceeds to pettifog about his injunction to keep his letter to Congress about the Donation Land Bill "dark till next mail."

From Dr. John McLoughlin, the Father of Oregon by Holman, Frederick Van Voorhies

When his law lies upon his hands he will afford a good pennyworth, and rather pettifog and turn common barreter than be out of employment.

From Character Writings of the 17th Century by Various

The popular understanding of the word criticize is to find fault, to pettifog.

From Plum Pudding Of Divers Ingredients, Discreetly Blended & Seasoned by Morley, Christopher