A unique linguistic error occurred here: because "kickshaws" ended with an 's', English speakers assumed it was plural and created the singular as a back-formation. A Culinary Delicacy (and Insult)
Over time, the meaning expanded beyond the kitchen. Because a culinary kickshaw was seen as showy but insubstantial, the word began to describe , such as a trinket, gewgaw, or bauble. KICKSHAW Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster Merriam-Webster kickshaw - VDict kickshaw
In its earliest usage, a kickshaw was a delicate, elaborate dish, often served as an appetizer or hors d'oeuvre. However, the term often carried a "contemptuous force" among the English, who preferred substantial meals over what they viewed as frivolous, unrecognizable French concoctions. A unique linguistic error occurred here: because "kickshaws"