pettifog

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

Pronunciation

(UK) IPA^(key): /ˈpɛt.iˌfɒɡ/

Verb

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.

Synonyms

See Thesaurus:squabble

Related terms

pettifogger