What does persiflage mean?
Persiflage means light, playful mockery, especially teasing directed at someone through witty or affectionate remarks. Its tone is usually good-humoured rather than hostile, distinguishing it from more damaging forms of ridicule such as sarcasm or contempt. The word is chiefly found in formal and literary prose, where it conveys an elegant or gently teasing manner of speaking. It can describe the activity itself, as in “a burst of persiflage,” or the remarks exchanged between people who know one another well. Because the word sounds more ceremonial than the everyday expressions “banter” and “ribbing,” it often lends a slightly nostalgic or elevated tone. Nevertheless, it remains useful for identifying the particular social dynamic of teasing that is meant to amuse and strengthen familiarity rather than intimidate.
nounLight mockery or teasing expressed in a playful, good-humoured way, especially through verbal remarks.
- Light, playful mockery or teasing, especially in conversation.
"Her gentle persiflage at his elaborate hat was affectionate rather than unkind."
"The colleagues responded to his persiflage with laughter and good-natured banter."
"Her persiflage was sharp enough to catch his attention but never cruel enough to offend."
The plural is uncommon; the word is normally used in the singular or uncountably.
"The play is filled with sharp persiflages between the two rivals."
A French import with a disarmingly gentle name: persiflage is mockery intended to amuse rather than wound.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does persiflage come from?
The word entered English from French in the early nineteenth century. French persiflage is derived from persifler, meaning “to joke” or “to mock,” and ultimately comes from a tradition of verbal jesting that the English borrowing preserves. The related French nouns persifler and persifleur denote a jester or a person given to playful mockery.
How persiflage is actually used
Chiefly literary, formal, and somewhat old-fashioned. It is usually more appropriate for verbal banter than for hostile ridicule, and is normally used uncountably.