Pettifoggery - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Pettifoggery refers to the practice of focusing on trivial details or using petty, dishonest arguments, especially in legal matters. It implies unnecessary quibbling or underhanded tactics to deceive or delay.
Definition:
Petty or trivial legal quibbling, often to deceive or delay proceedings.
Synonyms:
quibbling, nitpicking, sophistry, hair-splitting
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
honesty, straightforwardness
Common Collocations:
legal pettifoggery, political pettifoggery, petty pettifoggery
Derivatives:
pettifogger, pettifogging
Usage Tips:
Use it to describe overly technical or dishonest arguments in law or debate.
Common Phrases:
"legal pettifoggery, " "political pettifoggery, " "endless pettifoggery"
Etymology:
Derived from 'petty' + 'fogger' (a dishonest lawyer), originating in 16th-century English.
Examples:
- 1. The lawyer's pettifoggery delayed the trial unnecessarily.
- 2. His argument was pure pettifoggery, avoiding the real issue entirely.
- 3. Politicians often resort to pettifoggery to confuse voters.
- 4. The judge dismissed the case due to excessive pettifoggery by the defense.