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

In a second the little marquis dropped his daffing manner.

From The Duke's Motto A Melodrama by McCarthy, Justin H. (Justin Huntly)

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

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

"And loon," Burns threw in, daffing with her.

From Nancy Stair A Novel by Lane, Elinor Macartney

I hae had mony a day's daffing wi' Jean's mither, and they say she bides on wi' them.

From The Bride of Lammermoor by Scott, Walter, Sir