trumpery

American  

[truhm-puh-ree] / ˈtrʌm pə ri /

noun

plural

trumperies

1. something without use or value; rubbish; trash; worthless stuff.

2. nonsense; twaddle.

   His usual conversation is pure trumpery.

3. Archaic. worthless finery.

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adjective

1. of little or no value; trifling, worthless; rubbishy; trashy.

trumpery British  

/ ˈtrʌmpərɪ /

noun

1. foolish talk or actions

2. a useless or worthless article; trinket

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adjective

1. useless or worthless

Etymology

Origin of trumpery

1425–75; late Middle English trompery deceit < Middle French tromperie, equivalent to tromp ( er ) to deceive + -erie -ery

Example Sentences

Today, trumpery can refer to just about any sort of balderdash, but it used to refer specifically to religious or woo-woo ideas.

From Salon • Mar. 4, 2016

But we hardly need a lexical campaign when trumpery exists.

From Salon • Mar. 4, 2016

It was both trumpeted as a global achievement and dismissed as overly commercialized "trumpery."

From Seattle Times • Aug. 9, 2012

When Upstairs, Downstairs was first broadcast on Sunday 10 October 1971, Britain was struggling with decimalisation and that new-fangled trumpery of a gaudy Satan, colour telly.

From The Guardian • Dec. 24, 2010

I'm the villain of your trumpery little drama—plotting and scheming to frustrate your love and spoil your life.

From Mrs. Thompson A Novel by Maxwell, W. B. (William Babington)