faff

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   An overcomplicated task, especially one perceived as a waste of time.

   • Adjusting this television is a bit of a faff.
   • God it must be a faff having to get nigh-on naked every time your bladder runneth over, and imagine how much worse it must be if you only have a 20-second break to run off stage to the loo.
2. 2

   A state of confused or frantic activity.

   • She's in a total faff about tonight's dinner party.
   • I knew May would be in a faff, and I was right. […] Half an hour later (still with plenty of time because I’d known there would be this fuss) we left with May clad in black.
3. 3

   A puff of smoke

   A puff of smoke; a gust of wind.

   • “Shut t’ door, wilt-tu,” said Widow Goggin sharply; “thou’rt letting in faffs o’ wind. And tak’ thi shawl off.”
4. ›+ 3 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      To blow in puffs, blow gently.

   2. 5

      To move (something) with a puff of air, to blow away.

      • Time wi’ his scythe hed mawn t’crop on his heead, An’ then fafft it away wi’ his wing.
   3. 6

      To waste time on an unproductive activity.

      • Stop Faffing And Just Do It
      • Frontier knows you're going to be spending a lot of time building coasters and faffing with scenery, so it doesn't want you fighting fires constantly.

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