footle

[foot-l]

verb (used without object)

footled, footling 

1. to act or talk in a foolish or silly way.

noun

1. nonsense; foolishness; twaddle.

footle

/ ˈfuːtəl /

verb

1. to loiter aimlessly; potter

2. to talk nonsense

noun

1. rare,  foolishness

Word History and Origins

Origin of footle¹

First recorded in 1890–95; origin uncertain; footy

Word History and Origins

Origin of footle¹

C19: probably from French foutre to copulate with, from Latin futuere

Example Sentences

About two hours later, it was recognised Arthur was "an unanticipated footling breech", the Record of Inquest states.

From BBC

That left Jonathan with lifelong feelings of guilt, which led him on several occasions to announce that he was abandoning what he once called “this footling flibbertigibbet world of theater.”

From Seattle Times

Race and gender are weighty issues, but there is another, more footling, prejudice that Strong Island will have to overcome if it is to take the Oscar on Sunday.

From The Guardian

Using violence to enforce footling laws is also a common theme.

From Economist

Several of the large American snooping programmes made public by Mr Snowden were legitimised through unexpectedly broad readings of outwardly footling bills.

From Economist