pettifog
English edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
Back-formation from pettifogger.
Pronunciation edit
Verb edit
pettifog (third-person singular simple present pettifogs, present participle pettifogging, simple past and past participle pettifogged)
- (intransitive) To quibble over trivial matters; nitpick.
- Don't pettifog or we will soon grow weary.
- 1959 April 24, Walt Kelly, Pogo, comic strip, →ISBN, page 35:
- [Deacon Mushrat to Pogo:] The Machiavellian barratry of a pettifogging public has maundered into do-nothingism.
- (intransitive) To do a petty business as a lawyer, or carry out law business in a petty or tricky way.
- S. Butler
- He is a common barreter for his pleasure, that takes no money, but pettifogs gratis.
- S. Butler