daffing

American  

[daf-ing] / ˈdæf ɪŋ /

noun

Scot. and North England.

1. silliness; playful behavior; merriment;

2. Archaic. insanity.

---

Etymology

Origin of daffing

First recorded in 1525–35; daff ¹ + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

This was the more characteristic, as, for all his daffing, he was a modest and very polite little fellow among ourselves.

From The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 2 (of 25) by Stevenson, Robert Louis

When his lordship was in his study, our daffing was in Gaelic, for her ladyship, though a Morton, and only learning the language, loved to have it spoken about her.

From John Splendid The Tale of a Poor Gentleman, and the Little Wars of Lorn by Munro, Neil

To his humour of daffing I succumbed, and fell into an extraordinary ease with the world.

From A Daughter of Raasay A Tale of the '45 by Travis, Stuart

It was just daffing, I tell ye: daffing, and nae mair: a piece of fun, like! 

From Lay Morals by Stevenson, Robert Louis

"And loon," Burns threw in, daffing with her.

From Nancy Stair A Novel by Lane, Elinor Macartney