pettifogger

For nearly three years now, I’ve been fascinated by the performance art of this blustering pettifogger.

“The noun pettifogger has two main senses: ‘A lawyer whose methods are petty, underhanded, or disreputable; shyster’ and ‘one given to quibbling over trifles.’

The verb was actually formed from the noun "pettifogger", which was used in the 16th Century to describe those who would argue over minor details in a fee.

He hated Mr. Bonamy for a puritanical old pettifogger; but that was no reason why he should be rude to his daughter.

"That a son of mine should lack the spirit to turn on these pettifoggers!"