Lollygagging and dillydallying...what fun words to describe wasting time!
These words are often used interchangeably but there is a subtle distinction between the two.
Lollygagging refers to being idle, wandering aimlessly or moving slowly because you are distracted or avoiding a task. You're not being productive. Dillydallying, on the other hand, is more about indecisiveness and avoiding a specific task by doing menial chores or overthinking things.
Both words are informal, and both are delightfully fun to say, which may explain why they've survived for so long despite sounding like they escaped from a Victorian toy chest.
Oh my, I once heard a couple of academics argue about the differences between tinny-weeny and itty bitty.
ReplyDeleteNow that's getting down to the nitty-gritty!
DeleteMy dad used to use those terms all the time. I admit to doing both!
ReplyDeleteI think I'm more of a dilly-dallier than a lollygagger!
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