pi-jaw

English

Etymology

From pi (“pious, sanctimonious”) + jaw.

Pronunciation
  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈpʌɪdʒɔː/

Noun

pi-jaw (uncountable)

  1. (slang, archaic) Patronising or lecturing talk, especially from an adult to a child. [from 19th c.]
    • 1924, Ford Madox Ford, Some Do Not…, Penguin 2012 (Parade's End), p. 33:
      ‘I'll admit for the moment that you aren't giving me pi-jaw.’
    • 1991, Stephen Fry, The Liar, p. 37:
      Adrian thought it worth while to try out his new slang. ‘I say, you fellows, here's a rum go. Old Biffo was jolly odd this morning. He gave me a lot of pi-jaw about slacking and then invited me to tea. No rotting! He did really.’
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