Dictionary entry

Persiflage

Webster's Dictionary 1913

‖Per′si′flage″ (?), n. [F., fr. persifler to quiz, fr. L. per + siffler to whistle, hiss, L. sibilare, sifilare.] Frivolous or bantering talk; a frivolous manner of treating any subject, whether serious or otherwise; light raillery. Hannah More.