daffing

American  

[daf-ing] / ˈdæf ɪŋ /

noun

Scot. and North England.

1. silliness; playful behavior; merriment;

2. Archaic. insanity.

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Etymology

Origin of daffing

First recorded in 1525–35; daff ¹ + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

When his lordship was in his study, our daffing was in Gaelic, for her ladyship, though a Morton, and only learning the language, loved to have it spoken about her.

From John Splendid The Tale of a Poor Gentleman, and the Little Wars of Lorn by Munro, Neil

Miss Mary, she would be daffing with him on his return, with a 'How's her leddyship to-day, Dugald?' and he would be in a pleasant vexation at this guessing of what he thought his secret.

From Gilian The Dreamer His Fancy, His Love and Adventure by Munro, Neil

Indeed, to hear them daffing with each other one would have said they had been brought up together instead of being acquaintances of less than three weeks standing.

From A Daughter of Raasay A Tale of the '45 by Travis, Stuart

Ghaist! my certie, I shall ghaist them—if they had their heads as muckle on their wark as on their daffing they wad play na sic pliskies—it's the wanton steed that scaurs at the windlestrae.

From The Proverbs of Scotland by Hislop, Alexander

If I leave the fireside for a minute or two, everything stops but daffing till I get back again.

From A Knight of the Nets by Barr, Amelia Edith Huddleston