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

Mary Hope," he used to say to her in his daffing way, "your scones are better than your father's law.

From The Men of the Moss-Hags Being a history of adventure taken from the papers of William Gordon of Earlstoun in Galloway by Crockett, S. R. (Samuel Rutherford)

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

Hout awa', auld carle," said the old dame, "to speak sic daffing to young folk.

From The Bride of Lammermoor by Scott, Walter, Sir

Jokes and songs and daffing of all kinds were alien to his nature.

From A Knight of the Nets by Barr, Amelia Edith Huddleston

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

From The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson, Volume XXI by Stevenson, Robert Louis