pis al·ler \|pēzə|lā, |pēˌza|lā, pēˈza(ˌ)lā\noun (pluralpis allers \-ā(z)\) Etymology: French, literally, to go worst : a last resource or device for coping with a difficulty : expedient, shift < Poor Laws were an unhappy pis aller, revealing the failure of society to deal … with its economic problems — R.M.MacIver >