When was the word kerfuffle first used?

The first known use of kerfuffle was in 1908.

Where did the term kerfuffle originate?

The root of “kerfuffle” is the very old Scots verb “fuffle,” which first appeared in print in the early 16th century and means “to throw into disorder.” The Oxford English Dictionary suggests that the “ker” part of “kerfuffle” may hare come from the Gaelic word “car,” meaning “to twist, bend or turn around.” In the ...

Is kerfuffle a British word?

Chiefly British Informal. a fuss; commotion.

Do Americans say kerfuffle?

Transatlantic trade in English words isn't just one-way

KORY STAMPER, an editor at Merriam-Webster, wrote on Google Plus that "kerfuffle" was a word she had used all her life before reading in a number of American dictionaries that it is British in origin.

What does kerfuffle mean in Yiddish?

About the Word:

Kerfuffle means "disturbance or fuss," often describing a situation that's received more attention than it deserves.

? Kerfuffle Meaning - Kerfuffle Explained - Kerfuffle Definition - C2 English Vocabulary IELTS CPE

What does Putz mean in Yiddish?

Noun. Yiddish puts, literally, "finery, show," probably from putsn "to clean, shine"; akin to German putzen "to adorn, clean"

Who uses the word kerfuffle?

You will most commonly come across this wonderfully expressive word for a commotion or fuss in Britain and the British Commonwealth countries. It is rather informal, though it often appears in newspapers.

Is kerfuffle a Canadian word?

Kerfuffle. Originally a British slang word, Kerfuffle is used in Canada to refer to a disturbance, commotion, argument, or fight caused by conflict.

Is kerfuffle in the Oxford dictionary?

A kerfuffle is often a situation that's overblown or one that receives more attention than it deserves. In its definition, Oxford Dictionaries adds that it's especially caused by conflicting views.

What does kerfuffle mean in Scottish?

The Evolution of Kerfuffle

Fuffle was first used in Scottish English, as early as the 16th century, as a verb meaning "to dishevel." The addition of the prefix car- (possibly derived from a Scottish Gaelic word meaning "wrong" or "awkward") didn't change the meaning of the word considerably.

What does Canoodle mean in slang?

canoodle • \kuh-NOO-dul\ • verb. : to engage in amorous embracing, caressing, and kissing. Examples: Chaperones watched for couples attempting to sneak under the gymnasium's bleachers to canoodle. "

Where does the phrase 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 it Godsmack or gobsmacked?

Gobsmacked is British slang that dates from the 1980s and while people who are gobsmacked are often rendered speechless, its literal meaning is “hit in the mouth.” Gob is British slang for mouth—even if you are American, you probably remember that from the children's book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

What is a karfunkel?

ulcer, boil, sore, abscess, virus.

Is Demonsterized a word?

As for people I don't love, Thomas sits Katie down, grabs her hands in a way that screams “I studied a lot of heartfelt speeches,” and begins his very rehearsed speech about how his character and integrity's been “demonsterized.” NOT A WORD!

What does gawky mean?

Definition of gawky

: awkward, clumsy a gawky adolescent.

What is a bunny hug in Canada?

Bunny hug. The “bunny hug” is a particularly Saskatchewan term for what people elsewhere in Canada might call a “hoodie” – a hooded sweatshirt with a big pocket on the front. One of the first mentions of a “bunny hug” sweater is from 1978.

How do Canadians say beer?

What Do They Call Beers In Canada? Two-four. As the name implies, a case of 24 beers is commonly referred to as this. On your way to the party, don't be surprised if your friend asks you to pick up one.

How do Canadians say sorry?

In other words, where many US speakers will pronounce "sorry" like "sari", (i.e. in the lot Lexical Set), Canadians make the first syllable like "sore." In fact, when Canadian actors learn that US speakers say "sorry/sari" in the same manner, they often remark "where's the pain in that?" For us, "sorry," the word many ...

What is another word for kerfuffle?

In this page you can discover 9 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for kerfuffle, like: disturbance, hoo-ha, to-do, hurly-burly, disruption, commotion, flutter, hoo-hah and brouhaha.

What is an example of a kerfuffle?

noise, excitement, and argument: Her glasses were broken in the kerfuffle. Synonyms. ballyhoo old-fashioned slang. commotion.

What is a female schmuck?

Schmuck, or shmuck, is a pejorative term meaning one who is stupid or foolish, or an obnoxious, contemptible or detestable person.

What is a schlemiel Yiddish?

Schlemiel (Yiddish: שלומיאל; sometimes spelled shlemiel or shlumiel) is a Yiddish term meaning "inept/incompetent person" or "fool". It is a common archetype in Jewish humor, and so-called "schlemiel jokes" depict the schlemiel falling into unfortunate situations.

Is schlep a Yiddish?

The verb comes from the German sleppen, adopted with that meaning in the Yiddish schlepn or schlep, meaning “to drag, haul, lug.” “In Yiddish, the verb shlep is standard,” the lexicographer Sol Steinmetz, who spells the verb without the c, informs me, “with the literal meaning of 'a pull, drag or jerk.

What is God smacked?

chiefly British, informal. : overwhelmed with wonder, surprise, or shock : astounded Several minutes later I touch the bottom, pleased to discover that Louise—despite all her experience exploring caves elsewhere in the world—is as gobsmacked as I am. "