persiflage

[ pur-suh-flahzh, pair- ]
/ ˈpɜr səˌflɑʒ, ˈpɛər- /

noun

light, bantering talk or writing.
a frivolous or flippant style of treating a subject.

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Origin of persiflage

1750–60; < French, derivative of persifler to banter, equivalent to per- per- + siffler to whistle, hiss < Late Latin sifilāre, for Latin sībilāre; see sibilant, -age

SYNONYMS FOR persiflage

1 banter, badinage, jesting.

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British Dictionary definitions for persiflage

persiflage
/ (ˈpɜːsɪˌflɑːʒ) /

noun

light frivolous conversation, style, or treatment; friendly teasing

Word Origin for persiflage

C18: via French, from persifler to tease, from per- (intensive) + siffler to whistle, from Latin sībilāre to whistle