Pettifogging: meaning, definitions and examples
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pettifogging
[ ˈpɛtɪfɒɡɪŋ ]
in a legal context
Placing undue emphasis on petty details; quibbling over trivial matters.
Synonyms
hair-splitting, nitpicking, quibbling
Examples of usage
- He was known for his pettifogging arguments during the trial.
- The judge grew tired of the pettifogging tactics used by the defense attorney.
Translations
Translations of the word "pettifogging" in other languages:
🇵🇹 litigância mesquinha
🇮🇳 छोटा-मोटा झगड़ा
🇩🇪 Kleinlichkeit
🇮🇩 perkara kecil
🇺🇦 мелочне інтриганство
🇵🇱 drobiazgowość
🇯🇵 些細な争い
🇫🇷 chicanerie
🇪🇸 bagatela
🇹🇷 küçük düşürme
🇰🇷 사소한 논쟁
🇸🇦 مشاجرة تافهة
🇨🇿 malichernost
🇸🇰 malichernosť
🇨🇳 琐碎的争吵
🇸🇮 malenkost
🇮🇸 smámunasemi
🇰🇿 ұсақ-түйек дау
🇬🇪 წვრილმანი კამათი
🇦🇿 xırda mübahisə
🇲🇽 bagatela
Word origin
The term 'pettifogging' originated in the 16th century, combining 'petty' and 'fogger' (a pejorative term for a lawyer). Originally used to describe lawyers who dealt with petty legal matters, it eventually evolved to mean someone who focuses on trivial or insignificant details.