Does Dawdling Mean Trifling?

to waste time; idle; trifle; loiter: Stop dawdling and help me with these packages! to move slowly, languidly, or dilatorily; saunter. verb (used with object), daw. ... to waste (time) by or as if by trifling (usually followed by away): He dawdled away the whole morning.

Where does the word dawdling come from?

1650s, intransitive, "to idle, waste time," perhaps a variant of daddle "to walk unsteadily." Perhaps influenced by daw, because the bird was regarded as sluggish and silly. Not in general use until c. 1775. Transitive sense in dawdle away is attested by 1768.

What does Dilly Dally mean?

intransitive verb. : to waste time by loitering or delaying : dawdle. Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More About dillydally.