The little-known word “pettifogging ” was used during a 1905 impeachment trial of a judge . This week , Chief Justice John Roberts used it again during the impeachment trial of U.S . President Donald Trump . Roberts is the presiding officer of the trial . He did not say much during the trial's first day . Instead , the impeachment managers from the House of Representatives and the president's lawyers argued about the charges against Trump . Late at night , however , the arguments became heated . House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler , a Democrat , wanted the Republican-controlled Senate to permit witnesses at the trial . He told senators that a vote to deny witnesses was a “treacherous vote .” He added that it would be “a vote against an honest trial . A vote against the United States ." In answer to that , White House counsel Pat Cipollone said , "The only one who should be embarrassed , Mr . Nadler , is you . For the way you addressed this body . This is the United States Senate . You're not in charge here ." Twelve hours into his position as presiding officer , Roberts reminded everyone who was in charge . He issued a warning for both sides to avoid the use of strong language . Let's break it down . Petti - comes from the adjective “petty ,” which means “not very important or serious .” And -fogger may come from an old slang word that meant “a whining beggar .” The first is “a lawyer whose methods are petty , underhanded , or disreputable .” The second meaning is “one given to quibbling over trifles .” Quibble is another word for argue . And a trifle is something that is unimportant or of little value . Pettifogging means “worrying too much about details that are minor or not important ,” says Merriam-Webster's Learning English dictionary . Roberts was noting that the two sides were arguing over small , unimportant issues as they addressed “the world's greatest deliberative body .”