pettifogger

/ ˈpɛtɪˌfɒɡə /

noun

1. a lawyer of inferior status who conducts unimportant cases, esp one who is unscrupulous or resorts to trickery

2. any person who quibbles or fusses over details

Other Word Forms

• pettifoggery noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pettifogger¹

C16: from _petty + fogger, of uncertain origin, perhaps from Fugger, name of a family (C15–16) of German financiers

Example Sentences

For nearly three years now, I’ve been fascinated by the performance art of this blustering pettifogger.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“The noun pettifogger has two main senses: ‘A lawyer whose methods are petty, underhanded, or disreputable; shyster’ and ‘one given to quibbling over trifles.’

Read more on Washington Times

The verb was actually formed from the noun "pettifogger", which was used in the 16th Century to describe those who would argue over minor details in a fee.

Read more on BBC

He hated Mr. Bonamy for a puritanical old pettifogger; but that was no reason why he should be rude to his daughter.

Read more on Project Gutenberg

"That a son of mine should lack the spirit to turn on these pettifoggers!"

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Related Words

• con artist 
• hypocrite