pettifog
Americanverb (used without object)
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to bicker or quibble over trifles or unimportant matters.
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to carry on a petty, shifty, or unethical law business.
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to practice chicanery of any sort.
verb
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
To pettifog is ‘to engage in legal chicanery’ or ‘to quibble over insignificant details,’” the dictionary advised.
From Washington Times • Feb. 2, 2020
From the time that Charlton began to pettifog with his conscience, he began to lose peace of mind.
From The Mystery of Metropolisville by Eggleston, Edward
It wouldn't do me any good to pettifog in this matter.
From Opening a Chestnut Burr by Roe, Edward Payson
He had to pettifog or say it was a forgery.
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
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
