Pettifoggs

 

Pettifoggs.

How curious!

I first thought 

this word described 

a bunch of gloomy 

little creatures.

Hobbit inhabitants, 

I guessed.

Dark, thick, bleak, 

fearsome little souls, 

maybe?

No.

The word is not a noun.

It’s a verb, used 

without object.

You see, when one pettifoggs 

(or is pettifogging)

one bickers/quibbles over 

trifles or unimportant matters.

One carries on a petty, 

shifty or unethical business.

Or, one practices different 

sorts of chicanery.

Okay then. I was way off.

It really is vital 

to understand words

AND their meaning.

Especially if one wants 

to communicate clearly.

What word have you 

tripped-on or misunderstood 

lately?

 

I value you + your views, 

so let’s communicate!

Debby Barnes Sunday SideLines