persiflage

Definition

Good-natured banter; raillery.

Etymology

From French persiflage, from persifler (“to quiz, tease, mock”), from per- + siffler (“to whistle”), from Latin sībilō (“whistle”).

Example Sentences

• "After the third strike he returned to the bench to face the inevitable persiflage from his teammates."
• "No one can deny Lady Charlotte Bury's assertion, that no well-regulated young female will ever indulge in a species of amusement so improper as flirtation; but it must be admitted, that having a pleasant partner is preferable to not dancing, and that a little persiflage, a little raillery, a little flattery, go far to make a partner pleasant."
• "Polite dinner calls for persiflage rather than in-depth possibly offensive discussion."