fiddle-faddle

American  

[fid-l-fad-l] / ˈfɪd lˌfæd l /

noun

1. nonsense.

2. something trivial.

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verb (used without object)

fiddle-faddled, fiddle-faddling

1. to fuss with trifles.

interjection

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

fiddle-faddle British  

/ ˈfɪdəlˌfædəl /

noun

1. trivial matter; nonsense

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verb

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

Other Word Forms

• fiddle-faddler
  noun

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Etymology

Origin of fiddle-faddle

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

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Explanation

Fiddle-faddle is silly, insignificant nonsense. Fiddle-faddle doesn't amount to much. Fiddle-faddle usually refers to nonsense that is particularly insubstantial: trivial stuff that means little. If you're trying to discuss something serious, and someone makes an irrelevant point, you could say "That's fiddle-faddle!" This is a reduplicative word — like hocus pocus and higgledy-piggledy — which means most of the word repeats. Lots of reduplicative words mean nonsense, such as mumbo-jumbo and jibber-jabber.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

fiddle-faddle fiddle-faddling

Vocalist Waters and a gifted arrangement turn a ballad hitherto sung as funny fiddle-faddle into a tragic folk tale, with much the same quality found in Artist Thomas Benton's garish Frankie & Johnnie mural.

From Time Magazine Archive

Huston soon puts a stop to this sort of fiddle-faddle.

From Time Magazine Archive

Beyond that, the system is mired in bureaucratic inertia and fiddle-faddle.

From Time Magazine Archive

“I’ll bet you my whole store it’s a matter of time before everyone starts buying cheap fiddle-faddle from SmartMart rather than paying a little more for something from their own neighbors.”

From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry

I've had enough of you, and I've no time for fiddle-faddle!

From The Path to Rome by Hilaire Belloc

He acknowledges the time wasted "fiddle-faddling" and, with pathetic bravery, declares that he "will not cling to her falsely."

From The Guardian ● Aug. 29, 2011

I am idly fiddle-faddling with a piece of work, and Roger—is it possible?—is stretching out his hand toward a book.

From Nancy by Rhoda Broughton

Ye gods, and when it was flowing,   Pitiful fool that I was, to stand fiddle-faddling in that way!

From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 01, No. 07, May, 1858 by Various

You knew she wasn't all right this morning, yet you had to go fiddle-faddling with that architect instead of staying at home where you belonged.

From Unleavened Bread by Robert Grant

And I've no enmity against all manner of fiddle-faddling, if folks have got nothin' better to do.

From Nobody by Susan Warner

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