Pettifog: meaning, definitions and examples
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pettifog
[ ˈpɛtɪˌfɒg ]
legal context
To pettifog means to engage in petty or trivial legal disputes, often characterized by quibbling or subterfuge. It implies a focus on minor details or insignificant points rather than the main issue at hand. This term carries a connotation of dishonesty or underhandedness in legal practice, reflecting tactics employed by unscrupulous lawyers who prioritize winning over justice. Pettifogging can also refer to any small-minded or nitpicking behavior that seeks to distract from more significant matters.
Synonyms
bicker, haggling, nitpick, quibble, squabble.
Examples of usage
- The lawyer began to pettifog about minor procedural errors.
- Rather than addressing the main argument, he chose to pettifog on inconsequential details.
- In court, the attorney's pettifogging tactics frustrated everyone involved.
Translations
Translations of the word "pettifog" in other languages:
🇵🇹 picuinhice
🇮🇳 छोटी बातें करना
🇩🇪 Kleinigkeit
🇮🇩 berbicara remeh
🇺🇦 дріб'язок
🇵🇱 drobnostka
🇯🇵 些細なことを言う
🇫🇷 futilité
🇪🇸 nimiedad
🇹🇷 önemsizlik
🇰🇷 사소한 일
🇸🇦 توافه
🇨🇿 drobnost
🇸🇰 malichernosť
🇨🇳 琐事
🇸🇮 malenkost
🇮🇸 smámunur
🇰🇿 түймедақ
🇬🇪 ნამცეცი
🇦🇿 xırda işlər
🇲🇽 nimiedad
Etymology
The term 'pettifog' originated in the late 16th century, deriving from the combination of 'petty,' which refers to something of little importance or trivial, and 'fog,' which in this context suggests confusion or obfuscation. The word was likely influenced by the older Dutch term 'pettyfogger,' used to describe a lawyer who engaged in questionable legal practices. Over time, 'pettifog' clarified its focus on the nuisance of minor legal technicalities. The evolution of the term reflects historical frustrations with legal practitioners who prioritize minor disputes while neglecting more substantial issues, representing a broader critique of legal proceedings.
Word Frequency Rank
With rank #43,413, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.