Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for pettifogger

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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


Discover More

Derived Forms

  • ˈpettiˌfoggery, noun
Discover More

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
Discover More

Example Sentences

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

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

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.

From BBC

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

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

Advertisement

Related Words

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement