pettifogger

/ ˈpɛtɪˌfɒɡə /

noun

1. a lawyer of inferior status who conducts unimportant cases, esp one who is unscrupulous or resorts to trickery
2. any person who quibbles or fusses over details

Derived Forms

• ˈpettiˌfoggery, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pettifogger¹

C16: from petty + fogger, of uncertain origin, perhaps from Fugger, name of a family (C15–16) of German financiers

Example Sentences

Now, which was the best pedigree, that of the son of the pastry-cook, or that of the son of the pettifogger?

From Project Gutenberg

Thinking it well beneath me to measure words with this knavish pettifogger, I looked beyond him and spoke to his master.

From Project Gutenberg

A happy thought suggested itself—one worthy of the unscrupulous theological pettifogger that he is.

From Project Gutenberg

Pettifogger, pet′i-fog-ėr, n. a lawyer who practises only in paltry cases.

From Project Gutenberg

Anything can be proved by two false witnesses—thinks the pettifogger.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• con artist
• hypocrite