Where Does the Saying Dilly Dally Come from?

We've also got "dilly-dally." The base word "dally" came in from Old French hundreds of years ago and meant to chat idly. Over time "dally" picked up other meanings such as to toy with things or spend time idly. By the 19th century we get "dilly dally." "Dilly dally" is an example of reduplication.

Is Dilly Dally a bad word?

They are used as synonyms of one another in the dictionary and they both mean someone is being annoying, because they are wasting time. ... Dilly dallying would indicate a trite waste of time while lolly gagging, a more old fashioned expression, was synonymous with elicit relationships and an inappropriate waste of time.

What kind of word is dilly dally?

verb (used without object), dil·ly·dal·lied, dil·ly·dal·ly·ing. to waste time, especially by indecision; vacillate; trifle; loiter.