The actions of a pettifogger; a trivial quarrel.(noun)
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Use "pettifoggery" in a sentence
"This proves, according to Ezra, that conservative and Republican opposition to the current iteration of the individual mandate is just legal pettifoggery and political opportunism."
"Of such squeamish pettifoggery are cultural declines made!"
"Rehnquist's disdain for drawn-out cases and pettifoggery by lawyers is legendary."