Word of the Day: PERSIFLAGE

Banter or badinage

persiflage (noun) - light, frivolous, and wry banter or witty repartee; flippancy or jesting [pur-suh-flahzh]

BREAKDOWN: PER- (through) + SIBIL- (to hiss or whistle) + -AGE (process)

“As a matter of fact, with all his wit, humor, raillery, persiflage, he [Robert Ingersoll] was the profoundest logician that ever appealed to the intellect of an American audience. There was logic even in his laughter. He passed the cup of mirth, and in its sparkling foam were found the gems of unanswerable truth.” —Herman E. Kittredge

[Fun Word Friday introduces more advanced or technical words that are based on word roots. Yes, these words may still be tested on standardized exams. Try to use this word in a sentence today!]