Pettiness comes from the French word petit, which means “small.” We use the word petty as an adjective to indicate matters of lesser importance, such as a petty crime or petty details. Pettiness, however, is an attitude that leads to bad behavior. It is an undue concern for trivial matters resulting in arguments or spiteful behavior. The word petty did not originate as a disparaging word, but it has evolved to become associated with small-mindedness and “making a mountain out of a molehill.” For example: “We had a petty argument about paint colors.”