26 March 2017

frippery

[frip-uh-ree]

noun, plural fripperies.

1. finery in dress, especially when showy, gaudy, or the like.
2. empty display; ostentation.
3. gewgaws; trifles.

Origin of frippery

French, Old French

1560-1570; < French friperie, Old French freperie, equivalent to frepe rag + -erie -ery

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for frippery

Historical Examples

A modern writer, whose poetical genius cannot be too much admired, chooses to call it a frippery way of writing.
A Dialogue Concerning Oratory, Or The Causes Of Corrupt Eloquence
Cornelius Tacitus

The frippery of the island was dropped like the withes which bound Samson.
The Cobbler In The Devil’s Kitchen
Mary Hartwell Catherwood

But upon me the crucifixes, the holy water, the vestments—in short, the frippery —these things have a less agreeable effect.
Mr. Claghorn’s Daughter
Hilary Trent

frippery which would be discarded in England is often useful in India.
The Magnificent Montez
Horace Wyndham

She takes no interest in anything but the frippery side of life.
Money Magic
Hamlin Garland

No, but like them I have learnt to rate all this frippery at its worth!
The Pillars of the House, Vol. II (of 2)
Charlotte M. Yonge

In this he distinguishes the three stages of Tattooing (including paint), frippery, and Clothes.
The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 18, No. 108, October, 1866
Various

This frippery has not only the girl’s personality but her very spirit in it.
A Counterfeit Presentment and The Parlour Car
William Dean Howells

His dynasty and his Empire were the frippery of a past time.
The Missourian
Eugene P. (Eugene Percy) Lyle

A heap of frippery, a handful of gems, a dish or two more on the table cannot give it.
Froth
Armando Palacio Valds

Anagram

pip fryer
fry piper

Today’s quote

Profitability is a shallow goal if it doesn’t have a real purpose, and the purpose has to be share the profits with others.

– Howard Schultz

On this day

26 March 1827 – death of Ludwig van Beethoven, German composer. One of the world’s most influential composers. He composed 9 symphonies, 5 concertos for piano, 32 piano sonatos and 16 string quartets. Baptised on 17 December 1770.

26 March 1971 – The country of East Pakistan declares its independence and renames itself Bangladesh.