Dillydallied Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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dillydallied
[ˈdɪliˌdaliːd ]
Definition
procrastination
Dillydallied is the past tense of the verb 'dillydally', which means to waste time through aimless wandering or indecision. It often implies being overly conscious or hesitant about making a decision, causing delays in getting things done. This term suggests a lack of urgency and can be applied to situations where time is being wasted due to hesitation or trivial activities. It is commonly used in informal contexts to describe someone who is not taking action when they should be.
Synonyms
dawdled, fritter, hesitate, linger, procrastinate.
Examples of usage
- He dillydallied before deciding on a restaurant.
- She dillydallied instead of focusing on her homework.
- They dillydallied all day, delaying their trip.
- Stop dillydallying and get to work!
- Don't dillydally; we need to leave now.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Cultural References
- Dillydallying often appears in children's literature, warning against procrastination through humorous characters.
- In the song 'Dilly Dally' from the classic TV show, it suggests being carefree but also not getting things done.
- The phrase has a whimsical quality, making it popular in comedic contexts.
Psychology
- Procrastination is often linked to a fear of failure, leading people to dilly-dally rather than tackle tasks head-on.
- Dillydallying can be a coping mechanism for stress, providing temporary distraction from daunting responsibilities.
- In group settings, when one person dilly-dallies, it can impact the entire team's efficiency and morale.
Literature
- Famous authors have used the term to illustrate characters who avoid their duties, emphasizing their flaws humorously.
- Shakespeare hinted at procrastination in several plays, often with characters caught in indecision.
- Children's poems often playfully feature characters that dilly-dally, teaching lessons about time management.
Pop Culture
- Various cartoons show cartoon characters dilly-dallying around, portraying laziness in a funny way.
- Dillydallying is often depicted in phrases from sitcoms, highlighting a character's goofy antics.
- The term has made its way into social media, often used humorously when describing people's procrastination habits.
Origin of 'dillydallied'
Main points about word origin
- The word combines 'dilly,' which means something that's a bit silly or foolish, and 'dally,' which means to waste time.
- It originated in the 16th century, initially used as a playful term for those who linger.
- The phrase reflects a colloquial style, first gaining prominence in English-speaking cultures.
The term 'dillydally' is believed to have originated in the early 19th century, with the first documented use appearing around 1830. The word is thought to be a reduplication, a linguistic formation that involves repeating a syllable with a variation, often in a playful or informal manner. The roots of 'dillydally' may also be linked to British English, where the combination of 'dilly' and 'dally' implies a sense of trifling around. 'Dilly' itself is an old-fashioned term that means something trivial or insignificant, while 'dally' suggests idleness or delay. The playful sound of the word captures the essence of procrastination and hesitation, making it an apt description for someone who is taking their time or avoiding task completion. Over the years, 'dillydally' has maintained its informal tone and continues to be commonly used in everyday language to describe light-hearted procrastination.