fiddle-faddle

[fid-l-fad-l]

noun

1. nonsense.

2. something trivial.

verb (used without object)

fiddle-faddled, fiddle-faddling 

1. to fuss with trifles.

interjection

1. (used to express irritation, impatience, etc.)

fiddle-faddle

/ ˈfɪdəlˌfædəl /

noun

1. trivial matter; nonsense

verb

1. (intr) to fuss or waste time, esp over trivial matters

Other Word Forms

• fiddle-faddler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of fiddle-faddle¹

First recorded in 1570–80; gradational compound based on fiddle

Word History and Origins

Origin of fiddle-faddle¹

C16: reduplication of _fiddle