ped·ant·ry

[ped-n-tree]
noun, plural ped·ant·ries.
1.
the character, qualities, practices, etc., of a pedant, especially undue display of learning.
2.
slavish attention to rules, details, etc.
3.
an instance of being pedantic: the pedantries of modern criticism.

Origin:
1575–85; Italian pedanteria. See pedant, -ry

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World English Dictionary
pedantry (ˈpɛdəntrɪ) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
n , pl -ries
the habit or an instance of being a pedant, esp in the display of useless knowledge or minute observance of petty rules or details

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00:10
Pedantry is always a great word to know.
So is callithumpian. Does it mean:
a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc.
a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
Example sentences
In the context of this study etymological discussions would be mere pedantry.
Please excuse my pedantry, but your last post is ambiguous.
Two years more of mere pedantry and lying around a club aren't going to help.
The many citations of recondite literature do not escape the suspicion of
  parade and pedantry.
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