Parlous?

"That's not a real word"

"Yes it is"

"No it's not! What does it mean then?"

"Hazardous, risky..."

"You're thinking of perilous, get it changed!"

"But..."

"Look, mate. Change the A to an E, and you can squeeze an I in there. Hey presto! Real words that everybody knows! Sorted.

"but....?"