pi-jaw

English

Etymology

From pi (“pious, sanctimonious”) + jaw.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈpaɪdʒɔː/

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

Noun

pi-jaw (uncountable)

1. (slang, archaic) Lecturing or patronizing talk, especially from an adult to a child. [from 19th c.]
   • 1924 April, Ford Madox Ford, chapter II, in Some Do Not … […] (Parade’s End; 1), 2nd edition, London: Duckworth and Company […], published June 1924, →OCLC, part 1, page 45:

     I'll admit for the moment that you aren't giving me pi-jaw.

   • 1991, Stephen Fry, chapter III, in The Liar, London: William Heinemann, →ISBN, page 26:

     Adrian thought it worth while to try out his new slang. ‘I say, you fellows, here's a rum go. Old Biffo was jolly odd this morning. He gave me a lot of pi-jaw about slacking and then invited me to tea. No rotting! He did really.’