flummeries

Noun

flummery (countable and uncountable, plural flummeries)

1. A custard; any of several bland, gelatinous foodstuffs, usually made from stewed fruit and thickened with oatmeal, cornstarch or flour.
   1. (historical, specifically) A slightly tart, jelly-like food of Welsh origin, made from extensively boiling oats, then boiling down the liquid extracted from it.
2. Empty or meaningless talk, especially when used to flatter.

   Synonyms:

   jive

3. Pretentious trappings, useless ornaments used to impress.
4. Deceptive or blustering speech.
   • "Pfui! This is flummery!"1940, Rex Stout, Over My Dead Body

See all 6 meanings of flummery