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Diddling: meaning, definitions and examples

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diddling

 

[ ˈdɪd.lɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

informal usage

Diddling typically refers to engaging in idle or trivial activities, particularly in a playful or mischievous way. It can also imply wasting time or not taking something seriously. In certain contexts, the term may also relate to minor deceit or trickery. Overall, diddling conveys a sense of lightness or frivolousness.

Synonyms

dallying, fiddling, wasting time

Examples of usage

  • Stop diddling and get to work!
  • He spent the afternoon diddling around the park.
  • They were just diddling their time away instead of studying.

Translations

Translations of the word "diddling" in other languages:

🇵🇹 enganar

🇮🇳 धोखा देना

🇩🇪 täuschen

🇮🇩 menipu

🇺🇦 обманювати

🇵🇱 oszukiwać

🇯🇵 だます

🇫🇷 tromper

🇪🇸 engañar

🇹🇷 aldatmak

🇰🇷 속이다

🇸🇦 خداع

🇨🇿 podvádět

🇸🇰 podvádzať

🇨🇳 欺骗

🇸🇮 prevarati

🇮🇸 svikja

🇰🇿 алдау

🇬🇪 მოსასყიდი

🇦🇿 aldatmaq

🇲🇽 engañar

Etymology

The term 'diddling' originated from the late 19th century, likely as a derivative of 'diddle,' which itself may stem from a dialectal English word meaning to cheat or to deceive. Its usage has evolved over time, encompassing various contexts where minor deceit, trickery, or frivolous behavior is implied. The playful connotation attached to diddling aligns with the informal nature of the activities it describes, suggesting a light-hearted approach to one's tasks and responsibilities. The evolution of the term reflects a broader cultural attitude towards leisure and the acceptable balance between work and play. Over the years, diddling has found its place in colloquial speech, often used to denote activities that are not necessarily productive but are engaging in a benign or innocent manner.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,989, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.