Persiflage

Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Word of the Day

What is Persiflage?

noun
Light, slightly contemptuous mockery or banter.

Pronunciation

US pronunciation: /ˈpɜːr.sɪˌflɑːʒ/
UK pronunciation: /ˈpɜː.sɪ.flɑːʒ/
Slow pronunciation: PER-si-flazh

Meaning Explained

Persiflage is airy teasing with a razor's edge — salon wit that can turn cutting.

Why This Word?

Chosen to enrich the palette between friendly banter and hostile sarcasm.

Examples of Use

Here's how this word appears in everyday language:

  • What began as persiflage became outright mockery.
  • She parried his persiflage with ease.
  • The essay blends insight with gentle persiflage.

Word Origins

French persiflage “banter, raillery”

From persifler “to banter, make fun of.”

First appearance in English: mid 18th century

Word Family

Related forms of this word:

  • Noun: raillery

    Friendly raillery kept spirits high.

  • Noun: banter

    Their banter never turned cruel.

  • Noun: badinage

    Urban badinage filled the café.

Around the World

How this word appears in other languages:

  • Spanish: choteo / chanza mordaz
  • French: persiflage
  • German: Spöttelei / Persiflage
  • Italian: persiflage / canzonatura
  • Portuguese: chacota / persiflagem

If you Already Know This Word

If you've mastered this word, try these more advanced alternatives:

Sarcasm

Sharper and often hostile; persiflage is lighter.

Irony

Saying the opposite of what is meant; persiflage is tone.

Wit

General cleverness; persiflage is teasing deployment.

Fun Facts

  • “Raillery” is a near-synonym, slightly warmer in tone.
  • Pronunciation keeps the French “-flage” sound.

Cultural Usage

  • Eighteenth-century salons prized sparkling persiflage.
  • Columns deploy persiflage to puncture pretension.

Common Mistakes

Not “persiflage” as praise; it is teasing, sometimes dismissive.

Micro Story

Their panel crackled with clever persiflage.