How Do You Spell PETTIFOGGED?

Pronunciation: [pˈɛtɪfˌɒɡd] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "Pettifogged" may seem daunting at first glance, but when broken down phonetically, it becomes more manageable. The first syllable, "petti," is pronounced /ˈpɛtɪ/ with a short "e" sound. The second syllable, "fogged," is pronounced /fɒɡd/ with a hard "g" sound. Together, the word is pronounced /ˈpɛtɪfɒɡd/. This unusual word means to engage in quibbling or legal trickery, and its spelling reflects its obscure meaning.

Meaning and Definition
Common Misspellings
Etymology
Conjugate verb
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PETTIFOGGED Meaning and Definition

  1. Pettifogged is an adjective used to describe someone or something that engages in trivial, meaningless, or overcomplicated arguments or disputes, often with the intention of deceiving or manipulating others. The term is derived from the combination of the words "petty" and "fog," which implies a clouding or obscuring of the truth through irrelevant or insignificant details.

    When someone is described as pettifogged, it suggests that they are nitpicking, quibbling, or engaging in sophistry in order to win an argument or gain an advantage. This behavior is often seen as dishonest or deceptive, as it diverts attention away from the main issue at hand and attempts to confuse or frustrate others involved in the discussion.

    Similarly, the term can be applied to legal proceedings or disputes that are characterized by excessive or irrelevant legal maneuvering, often delaying resolution or obscuring the truth of the matter. Pettifogged legal arguments may involve excessive technicalities or convoluted reasoning, aiming to exploit loopholes or confuse the court or their opponents.

    Overall, pettifogged can be used to describe someone or something that engages in petty, deceptive, or overly complicated behavior or arguments. It implies a lack of integrity or sincerity in seeking resolution or truth, and emphasizes the focus on trivial or inconsequential details rather than addressing the main issue at hand.

Common Misspellings for PETTIFOGGED

  • oettifogged
  • lettifogged
  • -ettifogged
  • 0ettifogged
  • pwttifogged
  • psttifogged
  • pdttifogged
  • prttifogged
  • p4ttifogged
  • p3ttifogged
  • pertifogged
  • peftifogged
  • pegtifogged
  • peytifogged
  • pe6tifogged
  • pe5tifogged
  • petrifogged
  • petfifogged
  • petgifogged
  • pettifotged
  • pettifogue
  • Pettifarged
  • Pettefogged

Etymology of PETTIFOGGED

The word "Pettifogged" has an interesting etymology that traces back to the 16th century. It is derived from two words: "petty" and "fog".

The word "petty" comes from the Old French word "petit", meaning "small" or "unimportant". Over time, it evolved into the English term "petty", which refers to things of little importance or significance.

The term "fog" refers to a cloud-like mass of water vapor. In the figurative sense, it can also relate to confusion, obscurity, or a lack of clarity. This definition reflects the concept of "fog" being used metaphorically to describe deceit or trickery, as in someone trying to obscure the truth or confuse others.

Conjugate verb Pettifogged

CONDITIONAL

I would pettifogged
you would pettifogged
he/she/it would pettifogged
we would pettifogged
they would pettifogged

CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS

I would be pettifogging
you would be pettifogging
he/she/it would be pettifogging
we would be pettifogging
they would be pettifogging

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have pettifogged
you would have pettifogged
he/she/it would have pettifogged
we would have pettifogged
they would have pettifogged

CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I would have been pettifogging
you would have been pettifogging
he/she/it would have been pettifogging
we would have been pettifogging
they would have been pettifogging

FUTURE

I will pettifog
you will pettifog
he/she/it will pettifog
we will pettifog
they will pettifog

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be pettifogging
you will be pettifogging
he/she/it will be pettifogging
we will be pettifogging
they will be pettifogging

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have pettifogged
you will have pettifogged
he/she/it will have pettifogged
we will have pettifogged
they will have pettifogged

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been pettifogging
you will have been pettifogging
he/she/it will have been pettifogging
we will have been pettifogging
they will have been pettifogging

IMPERATIVE

you pettifog
we let´s pettifog

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to pettifog

PAST

I pettifogged
you pettifogged
he/she/it pettifogged
we pettifogged
they pettifogged

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was pettifogging
you were pettifogging
he/she/it was pettifogging
we were pettifogging
they were pettifogging

PAST PARTICIPLE

pettifogged

PAST PERFECT

I had pettifogged
you had pettifogged
he/she/it had pettifogged
we had pettifogged
they had pettifogged

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been pettifogging
you had been pettifogging
he/she/it had been pettifogging
we had been pettifogging
they had been pettifogging

PRESENT

I pettifog
you pettifog
he/she/it pettifogs
we pettifog
they pettifog

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am pettifogging
you are pettifogging
he/she/it is pettifogging
we are pettifogging
they are pettifogging

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

pettifogging

PRESENT PERFECT

I have pettifogged
you have pettifogged
he/she/it has pettifogged
we have pettifogged
they have pettifogged

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been pettifogging
you have been pettifogging
he/she/it has been pettifogging
we have been pettifogging
they have been pettifogging

Infographic

Correct spelling for Pettifogged
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