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Etymologies
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Examples
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Pettifogger, to lift tongue, or pen, or finger, to save little Jack
The Strange Adventures of Captain Dangerous, Vol. 1 of 3 Who was a sailor, a soldier, a merchant, a spy, a slave among the moors... George Augustus Sala 1861
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"Bear witness, I pray you all," said the Pettifogger, "as to what the knave called me."
The Sleeping Bard or, Visions of the World, Death, and Hell Ellis Wynne 1702
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"_Slanderer_, and _Meddler_, and _Litigious Pettifogger_," said he, "have broken their prisons and are at liberty."
The Sleeping Bard or, Visions of the World, Death, and Hell Ellis Wynne 1702
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"Ho, ho!" said Death, "not by the baptismal font, but by his sins, is every one called in this country; and, with your permission, master Pettifogger, the names of your sins are those which shall stick to you henceforth for ever."
The Sleeping Bard or, Visions of the World, Death, and Hell Ellis Wynne 1702
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I could see the prisoners cast headlong down the gulf, and Pettifogger rushing to fling himself over the terrific brink, rather than look once on the court of _Justice_.
The Sleeping Bard or, Visions of the World, Death, and Hell Ellis Wynne 1702
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Pettifogger, "I swear by the Devil that I will make you smart for this.
The Sleeping Bard or, Visions of the World, Death, and Hell Ellis Wynne 1702
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Impeacher, "_master Litigious Pettifogger_, alias _the Courts
The Sleeping Bard or, Visions of the World, Death, and Hell Ellis Wynne 1702
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"Bouncer, Coxcomb, and Contriver on the one side," he added, "and on the other Slanderer, Pettifogger, and Meddler are a compound, enough to make
The Sleeping Bard or, Visions of the World, Death, and Hell Ellis Wynne 1702
airhorse commented on the word Pettifogger
I first heard the word from Charles Dickens. I believe it was from Oliver Twist, but I am not certain.
It is defined as One who bickers over trivialities. Sounds like a politician to me.
July 19, 2009