pettifoggery

简明释义

英[ˌpɛtɪˈfɒɡəri]美[ˌpɛtɪˈfɑɡəri]

n. 欺瞒；讼棍的手段

英英释义

单词用法

同义词

反义词

例句

1.The hand responds to the heart, the pettifoggery is expressive, is in the folk art essence.

心手相应，刀笔传神，为民间艺术中的精华。

2.The hand responds to the heart, the pettifoggery is expressive, is in the folk art essence.

心手相应，刀笔传神，为民间艺术中的精华。

3.The lawyer's constant focus on minor details was nothing more than pettifoggery, distracting from the main issue at hand.

律师对细节的不断关注无非是小事繁琐，分散了对主要问题的注意。

4.In negotiations, his penchant for pettifoggery often frustrated his colleagues who preferred to address the bigger picture.

在谈判中，他对小事繁琐的偏好常常让更喜欢关注大局的同事感到沮丧。

5.The committee's report was filled with pettifoggery, making it hard to see the important findings.

委员会的报告充满了小事繁琐，使得重要发现难以看清。

6.His argument was dismissed as mere pettifoggery by those who understood the broader implications of the situation.

他的论点被那些理解情况更广泛影响的人视为纯粹的小事繁琐。

7.Instead of addressing the core issues, the discussion devolved into pettifoggery over trivial matters.

讨论没有解决核心问题，而是陷入了有关琐事的小事繁琐。

作文

In the realm of law and ethics, one often encounters various behaviors that can be classified as either honorable or dishonorable. Among these behaviors, pettifoggery stands out as a particularly insidious form of deception. The term refers to the practice of quibbling over trivial matters or engaging in petty, often misleading arguments, typically to confuse or manipulate others. This behavior is not only detrimental to the integrity of legal proceedings but also erodes trust within society. To understand the implications of pettifoggery, we must first examine its origins. The word itself derives from the combination of 'petty,' meaning minor or insignificant, and 'foggery,' which suggests deceit or trickery. Together, they paint a picture of someone who engages in minor disputes or technicalities to achieve an unfair advantage. In a legal context, this might manifest as a lawyer focusing on irrelevant details to distract from the core issues at hand. Consider a courtroom scenario where a lawyer employs pettifoggery to undermine the credibility of a witness. Instead of addressing the substantive evidence presented, the lawyer may nitpick the witness's choice of words or the exact timing of events, leading the jury to question the witness's reliability. This tactic, while perhaps effective in the short term, ultimately contributes to a culture of cynicism and distrust in the judicial system. Beyond the courtroom, pettifoggery can infiltrate everyday life. In personal relationships, for instance, individuals may engage in petty arguments over trivial matters, distracting from the more significant issues that need resolution. This behavior can lead to misunderstandings and resentment, as partners may feel that their concerns are being minimized or ignored. Moreover, in the political arena, pettifoggery can manifest as politicians focusing on minor scandals or misstatements rather than addressing pressing societal issues. By diverting public attention to insignificant controversies, leaders may avoid accountability for their actions or policies. This not only misleads the public but also fosters a disengaged electorate that feels overwhelmed by the constant barrage of trivial disputes. The consequences of pettifoggery extend beyond individual interactions; they can shape the very fabric of our society. When people prioritize petty arguments over meaningful dialogue, we risk losing the ability to engage in constructive conversations. This polarization can hinder progress on critical issues such as climate change, social justice, and economic inequality. In conclusion, pettifoggery represents a troubling trend in both legal and social contexts. It highlights the dangers of focusing on trivialities at the expense of more significant matters. To combat this tendency, we must strive for clarity and honesty in our communications, whether in the courtroom, our personal lives, or the political sphere. By recognizing and rejecting pettifoggery, we can foster a culture of integrity and understanding, paving the way for more meaningful discussions and solutions to the challenges we face. Only then can we hope to build a society that values substance over superficiality, ensuring that our debates are grounded in truth rather than distraction.

在法律和伦理的领域中，人们常常会遇到各种行为，这些行为可以被归类为光荣或不光荣。其中，pettifoggery（琐碎争论）作为一种特别阴险的欺骗形式，脱颖而出。这个词指的是对琐事进行争论或参与小气、常常误导性的争论，通常是为了混淆或操控他人。这种行为不仅对法律程序的完整性有害，而且侵蚀了社会内部的信任。 要理解pettifoggery的含义，我们首先必须检查它的起源。这个词本身来源于“petty”（琐碎的）和“foggery”（欺骗）的结合。它们共同描绘了一个人利用小争端或技术细节来获得不公平优势的画面。在法律背景下，这可能表现为律师专注于无关紧要的细节，以分散对核心问题的关注。 想象一个法庭场景，其中一位律师利用pettifoggery来破坏证人的可信度。律师可能不会处理所提出的实质性证据，而是挑剔证人的措辞选择或事件的确切时间，导致陪审团质疑证人的可靠性。这种策略虽然在短期内可能有效，但最终会导致司法系统的文化愤世嫉俗和不信任。 除了法庭之外，pettifoggery还可以渗透到日常生活中。例如，在个人关系中，个体可能会就琐事进行争论，从而转移注意力，忽视需要解决的更重要问题。这种行为可能导致误解和怨恨，因为伴侣可能会感到他们的担忧被最小化或忽视。 此外，在政治领域，pettifoggery可能表现为政治家专注于小丑闻或失言，而不是解决紧迫的社会问题。通过将公众注意力转移到无关紧要的争议上，领导者可能会避免对自己的行为或政策负责。这不仅误导公众，而且还助长了一种无动于衷的选民基础，使其感到被不断的琐碎争论所压倒。 pettifoggery的后果超越了个人互动；它们可以塑造我们社会的基本构架。当人们优先考虑琐碎的争论而不是有意义的对话时，我们可能会失去参与建设性讨论的能力。这种两极分化可能会阻碍在气候变化、社会正义和经济不平等等关键问题上的进展。 总之，pettifoggery代表了法律和社会背景中的一种令人担忧的趋势。它突显了在更重要的事务面前关注琐事的危险。为了应对这种倾向，我们必须努力在我们的沟通中追求清晰和诚实，无论是在法庭上、个人生活中还是政治领域。通过识别和拒绝pettifoggery，我们可以培养一种诚信和理解的文化，为更有意义的讨论和解决我们面临的挑战铺平道路。只有这样，我们才能希望建立一个重视实质而非表面的社会，确保我们的辩论以真相为基础，而非分散注意力。