kickshaw

American  

[kik-shaw] / ˈkɪkˌʃɔ /

noun

1. a tidbit or delicacy, especially one served as an appetizer or hors d'oeuvre.

2. something showy but without value; trinket; trifle.

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kickshaw British  

/ ˈkɪkˌʃɔː /

noun

1. a valueless trinket

2. archaic a small elaborate or exotic delicacy

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Etymology

Origin of kickshaw

1590–1600; back formation from kickshaws < French quelque chose something (by folk etymology)

Example Sentences

Gewgaw, a shiny trinket Bon Voyage A trinket or a knickknack, an ornament, a kickshaw, a frippery, a gimcrack, a bibelot, a gewgaw .

From Washington Post • Aug. 12, 2021

What," cried the Captain with a sneer, "I suppose this may be in your French taste? it's like enough, for it's all kickshaw work.

From Evelina, Or, the History of a Young Lady's Entrance into the World by Burney, Fanny

Andover, knowing her, imagined that she had been refused some kickshaw, and thought no more about it.

From The Black Moth A Romance of the XVIIIth Century by Heyer, Georgette

Somewhere, we think, in the other bag, there should be a cold fowl, or some such kickshaw, with, if we mistake not, a vision of beef, and a certain pewter flask.—Thank you.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 60, No. 372, October 1846 by Various

When Mammon advises Swellfoot the Tyrant to refresh himself with A simple kickshaw by your Persian cook Such as is served at the Great King's second table.

From Shelley, Godwin and Their Circle by Brailsford, Henry Noel