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

I never had much daffing or nonsense about me, and did not like any of it in other folk, but I had lots of sweethearts.

From Mr. Hogarth's Will by Spence, Catherine Helen

“Is there any reason to refrain from laughing and daffing while at that work?”

From An Orkney Maid by Barr, Amelia Edith Huddleston

And then will come dancing and daffing, And reelin' and crossin' o' hans, Till even auld Lucky is laughing, As back by the aumry she stans.

From Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 3 by Mabie, Hamilton Wright

This was the more characteristic, as, for all his daffing, he was a modest and very polite little fellow among ourselves.

From The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 2 (of 25) by Stevenson, Robert Louis

At bughts, in the morning, nae blythe lads are scorning,   Lasses are lonely and dowie and wae; Nae daffing, nae gabbing, but sighing and sabbing,   Ilk ane lifts her leglin and hies her away.

From Bulchevy's Book of English Verse by Quiller-Couch, Arthur Thomas, Sir