in jest

“Acatalepsia, at first in jest and irony, and in disdain of the older sophists, Protagoras, Hippias, and the rest, who were of nothing else so much ashamed as of seeming to doubt about anything.”

The New Organon

“The sacristan, holding the Mass-book in his arms, glanced at Paul out of his long dark eyes, then turned them on the people and shook his head, threatening them in jest if they did not attend.”

The Mother

“P.xi. p. 61 — 82.)] 78 It is difficult to know whether Labat (tom.iv. p. 53 — 57) be in jest or in earnest, when he supposes that Anagni still feels the weight of this curse, and that the cornfields, or vineyards, or olive-trees, are annually blasted by Nature, the obsequious handmaid of the popes.]”

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

“Caliph came upon Khalifah the Fisherman and gave him his own gown in jest wherewith the man fared home.”

The Book of The Thousand Nights And A Night

“I tell you now, as I told you ten years ago, when you pommelled young Mike Holdsworth for wanting to pass a bad shilling before you knew whether he was in jest or earnest — you’re overhasty and proud, and apt to set your teeth against folks that don’t square to your notions.”

Adam Bede