Definition of Petty
Petty is an adjective that describes something that is minor or trivial in nature. It is typically used to describe a problem or issue that is not important enough to be taken seriously. Petty is related to words such as insignificant, trivial and small.
Let’s take a closer look at the definition of this word.
Origin of the word
The word “petty” is derived from the Old French word “petit,” meaning small or limited. It has been used in English since the 1300s and has had a range of meanings depending on its context: in political usage, it designated lesser government officials; in law, it indicated offenses of less severity than felonies; and, more generally, its use indicated something minor or inconsequential.
In modern culture, the term is most commonly used to describe someone who develops feelings of resentment over insignificant things or acts offensively as a result.
Definition of petty
The adjective petty describes something that is small, unimportant, and often too trivial to merit serious attention. When someone calls you petty it means they think you are worrying about insignificant details, making unimportant arguments, or focusing too much on minor disagreements. The word derives from the Old French word petit, meaning small or insignificant.
In modern usage, the term is often used derisively to characterize someone’s complaints about trivial matters. Someone may be described as acting petty when they harp on minor issues or dwell on trifling matters excessively. Similarly, his or her actions in these cases may also be described as being petty. For example, if a person refuses to share a cookie with their housemate over an argument regarding how it was packaged or stored when they bought it at the store, they can be described as acting in a petty fashion.
Petty can also refer to a lack of generosity or narrow-mindedness when considering important matters. For instance, someone whose primary consideration when making decisions is whether they themselves would benefit instead of how others would also be affected could be described as being petty and self-centered. On the other hand, conversely something that is generous and accommodating can be said to exemplify magnanimity and thoughtfulness rather than pettiness.
Examples of Petty
Petty can be seen as a behavior which is small and insignificant. It is usually seen as an action which is too minor to warrant consideration, or as something which is trivial and not worth looking into. Common examples of petty behavior or actions can include things such as:
- Getting angry over minor inconveniences.
- Being argumentative for no good reason.
- Being overly dramatic in otherwise trivial situations.
Let’s take a closer look at examples of petty behavior.
Examples in everyday speech
The word “petty,” derived from the Old French word petit – meaning small, is used in everyday speech to describe a person or thing as unimportant, trivial and of little significance. In this sense, petty can be used both to describe behavior or an act that is insignificant, as well as a person considered insignificant.
Here are some examples of how “petty” could be used in everyday conversations:
- Maggie was annoyed because her ex-boyfriend’s petty remarks were undermining her success.
- Don’t worry about his complaints; they’re just petty jabs meant to unsettle you.
- His petulant attitude might give him short-term satisfaction but it paints him as an immature and petty person in the long run.
- It may seem like a minor event now but it could come back to haunt him; don’t become too complacent about the petty details.
Examples from literature
Examples of petty behavior can be found in literature, and they often serve to teach a moral lesson. Understanding how such behavior plays into the narrative can help you to recognize this type of thinking when you see it in your own life.
In William Shakespeare’s play, The Merchant of Venice, the character Shylock is characterized as a villainous usurer who demonstrates petty behavior towards his adversaries by demanding full payment of their debt even after they have won their lawsuit against him. His willingness to ignore both common decency and legal precedent reflects his unwillingness to forgive or empathize with others, ultimately leading him to lose in court.
In Lewis Carroll’s novel Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, readers are introduced to the Cheshire Cat who taunts Alice by teasingly responding “Curiouser and curiouser!” each time she asks for help or advice. This is a form of petty behavior because he chooses not to give her the assistance she has requested, but instead goes out of his way to be unhelpful and mocking; showing no understanding or respect for her plight.
The popular children’s book series Tales from Aesop shows characters acting petty on multiple occasions. For instance, in The Bellyache Heard ‘Round the World, two foxes vie for dominance by attempting to outwit one another through subterfuge rather than open combat – an example of petty actions intended only to bring about superficial victories that ultimately prove meaningless when compared with resolving real differences between them with greater understanding and respect. Another example appears in The Lion with a Sore Head where a sloth convinces a lion not to attack him by offering food in exchange for safety – an act that is self-preserving but also dishonest and selfish as it prevents the lion from obtaining justice which would have best served all involved parties.
Connotations of Petty
The term “petty” is used to describe something small or insignificant, usually in a negative way. It is often used to describe negative behavior, such as petty complaints or arguments over trivial matters. It can also be used to describe someone as being unnecessarily critical or mean-spirited. Further, the term can also be used to describe someone as being overly concerned with details, often to a fault. Let’s explore the various connotations of the word petty in greater detail.
Negative connotations
In certain contexts, the term “petty” can carry some very negative connotations. As an adjective, it is used to describe someone who is excessively concerned with minor details or disputes. To be labeled as “petty” suggests a degree of small-mindedness and often indicates a refusal to rise above trivial matters. People may also refer to behaviors as being “petty,” such as lashing out at others in anger over minor offenses or demonstrating unwillingness to forgive.
In some cases, people can embrace their pettiness. This might involve seemingly destructive behaviors such as gossiping about coworkers or purposely sabotaging someone else’s reputation; however, these are generally seen as selfish acts that do not benefit the well-being of the person engaging in them. Alternatively, positive references may be made by describing someone’s reaction being proportional to the offense – not overly harsh nor too lenient – suggesting that their treatment of a situation was balanced and practical; this could be seen as a more favorable interpretation of “petty” behavior.
Positive connotations
The word ‘petty’ can carry both positive and negative connotations. For many of us, the word is most associated with someone who is seemingly overly concerned with small matters. However, there are a few positive meanings associated with this word that may be overlooked.
On the positive side, being petty can sometimes mean being methodical in your approach to problem solving and meticulous with details. A petty person may also show their leadership skills by taking charge or displaying ambition and determination. In particular, a person who has ‘a knack for organization’ or remains ‘focused on the goal’ can often be seen as someone worthy of being called ‘petty’.
Moreover, some use ‘petty’ as an expression of admiration such as when they describe a petite woman or a product ‘made to perfection’. Being called “petty” can also be used to explain why someone takes pride in their accomplishments or takes initiative when handling certain tasks; it could also mean that a person does not require praise for their accomplishments but rather recognition of their efforts and capabilities.
In general terms, petty’s connotations usually stem from being highly organized and strategically focused on achieving great outcomes – it is for these reasons why it should be embraced by anyone seeking professional growth.
How to Avoid Being Petty
Being petty is an all-too-common occurrence for many people, and it can create a lot of tension and strife in relationships. Petty behavior is when someone behaves in small, often nit-picky ways in order to get their own way or to express frustration, anger, or resentment.
Recognising and avoiding your own petty behavior is important for maintaining healthy relationships. Let’s dive into how to do that.
Identifying when you are being petty
Petty behavior is defined as unimportant, small-minded, or mean-spirited actions. When you are being petty, you often act out of spite or vengeance rather than respectful disagreement or constructive criticism. Being petty can indicate feelings of jealousy, insecurity, envy, and low self-esteem– all of which can hamper successful relationships and interactions. Identifying when you are being petty is the first step in avoiding it.
Common signs that you may be exhibiting petty behavior include:
- Being overly sensitive to criticism
- Bringing up issues from the past unnecessarily
- Making unkind remarks about people even if those remarks are not completely directed towards them
- Engaging in gossip instead of addressing a difficult situation directly
- Making someone look bad by exaggerating details or telling stories that make them look worse than they actually are
- Trying to take credit for someone else’s ideas or achievements
- Enjoying making people feel embarrassed, uncomfortable or inferior
By recognizing the signs of being petty when they arise and consciously refraining from engaging in these behaviors, it is possible to replace pettiness with more productive behavior patterns. If you find yourself stuck in a cycle of behaving in a way that makes your relationships suffer, it is helpful to reach out for additional support from close friends and family members who can offer emotional guidance during difficult times.
Strategies for avoiding petty behavior
In its most basic definition, being petty refers to small-minded, unthinking, and unnecessarily argumentative behavior. Fortunately, it is usually within our power to avoid petty behavior that might damage personal relationships. Here are some strategies for avoiding such behavior:
- Take a step back and think before you react. Before you act out of anger or frustration, take the time to process your emotions and consider the consequences of your potential actions. Mindful contemplation can take the edge off emotional impulses and help you choose a more constructive response.
- Talk it through instead of engaging in an argument. By discussing a situation calmly with someone else involved in it, either directly or as an observer, you can often get a clearer understanding of the cause and scope of any tensions and work towards better solutions than each party trying their best to prove their rightness over another’s wrongness in an argument.
- Recognize that people have different points of view. No matter what issue is being discussed or situation encountered, various parties may have different understandings of it based on their own experiences and information available to them; this doesn’t make any individual vision wrong—just different—and working towards resolving any tensions should be based on mutual respect for all sides involved without anyone having to compromise one point of view over another too much against their will at any given point in time. Try to work from a perspective of cooperation instead of compromising others’ points of view too much against their will at a given point in time. Try to mutually come up with a resolution to the issue. Remember everyone is entitled to their opinion and recognize that differences exist between individuals and resolve the situation in a manner which reflects that everybody wins, not a win-lose situation in a competitive style. Moving towards cooperation and agreement between all those concerned helps to find a fair and beneficial solution that all will support and continue to move forward with without estranging any feelings.