daffing

American  

[daf-ing] / ˈdæf ɪŋ /

noun

Scot. and North England.

1. silliness; playful behavior; merriment;

2. Archaic. insanity.

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Etymology

Origin of daffing

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

Example Sentences

Indeed, to hear them daffing with each other one would have said they had been brought up together instead of being acquaintances of less than three weeks standing.

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

I never had much daffing or nonsense about me, and did not like any of it in other folk, but I had lots of sweethearts.

From Mr. Hogarth's Will by Spence, Catherine Helen

Ghaist! my certie, I shall ghaist them—if they had their heads as muckle on their wark as on their daffing they wad play na sic pliskies—it's the wanton steed that scaurs at the windlestrae.

From The Proverbs of Scotland by Hislop, Alexander

You are aye daffing, Ian; I am o’er busy for nonsense the now.

From An Orkney Maid by Barr, Amelia Edith Huddleston

And then will come dancing and daffing, And reelin' and crossin' o' hans, Till even auld Lucky is laughing, As back by the aumry she stans.

From Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 3 by Mabie, Hamilton Wright