footling

American  

[foot-ling] / ˈfʊt lɪŋ /

adjective

Informal.

1. foolish; silly.

   ridiculous, footling remarks.

2. trifling or useless.

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footling British  

/ ˈfuːtlɪŋ /

adjective

1. informal silly, trivial, or petty

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Etymology

Origin of footling

First recorded in 1895–1900; footle + -ing ²

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