Past tense of cajole; persuaded someone to do something through flattery, gentle teasing, or subtle manipulation.
From French cajoler (to coax), possibly from Picardy dialect, possibly related to Old French gaole (cage), with the idea of 'to chatter like a bird in a cage.' The etymology is uncertain but French in origin.
The uncertain etymology of 'cajole' mirrors how it works—you're not directly asking, you're circling around like a chattering bird, trying to charm someone into agreement.
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