per·si·flage \ˈpərsəˌfläzh, ˈper-, ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷\noun (-s) Etymology: French, from persifler to banter (from per-, intensive prefix — from Latin — + siffler to whistle, hiss, boo) + -age — more at siffle : frivolous bantering talk : a frivolous and somewhat derisive manner of treating a subject : light raillery