The Free Dictionary? Come on, I thought we were all scholars around here.Biggrin
Here's the OED:
trumpery, n. and adj.
Pronunciation: trumpery#_gb_1.mp3 /ˈtrʌmpərɪ/
Forms: ME–15 trompery(e, (15 tromperey, troumperie, trumprie), 15–16tromperie, trumperie... (Show More)
Frequency (in current use):
Etymology: < French tromperie (14th cent. in Godefroy Compl.), < tromper trump v.2: see ... (Show More)
A. n.
†1. Deceit, fraud, imposture, trickery. Obs.
1481—1847
2. ‘Something of less value than it seems’; hence, ‘something of no value; trifles’ (Johnson); worthless stuff, trash, rubbish. (Usuallycollective sing.; also, now rarely, pl.)
a. Applied to material objects (see also A. 2c – A. 2e
1531—1848
b. Applied to abstract things, as beliefs, practices, discourse, writing, etc.: Nonsense, ‘rubbish’.
c1485—1846(Show quotations)
c. Applied contemptuously to religious practices, ceremonies, ornaments, etc. regarded as idle or superstitious. (Cf. trinket n.1 3) Now rare or merged in general sense.
1542—1824
d. Showy but unsubstantial apparel; worthless finery.
a1616—1851
e. Hort. Weeds or refuse, such as hinder the growth of valuable plants. Obs. exc. dial.
1669—1888
f. Applied to a person, esp. a woman: cf. trash n.1 4 ? Obs. exc. dial.
1738—1852
B. adj.
Of little or no value; trifling, paltry, insignificant; worthless, rubbishy, trashy.
1576—1869
