Bette Davis’ plantation in “Jezebel” was Halcyon
I always thought that was great.
That’s not how I use it. In my variant of English, a ‘palaver’ is an annoying and unnecessary fuss, usually noisy, that achieves little or nothing.
“What’s all the palaver about?”
From here (British English) a lot of unnecessary activity, excitement or trouble, especially caused by something that is not important.
Both definitions are correct. From Wordnik
Idle chatter.
Talk intended to charm or beguile.
A negotiation or discussion concerning matters in dispute, especially in the traditional cultures of West Africa.
Author Stephen King used the third definition, which is where I first encountered the word.
. . . of yesteryear?
Floccinaucinihilipilification - The act or habit of describing or regarding something as unimportant, of having no value or being worthless. Applicable to a lot of public statements these days.
Tetraplyoctomy – the art of splitting a hair four ways - presumably lengthwise.
Don’t be so peevish.
Some of my favorite pets are peeves.