LOLLYGAG

TileHead’s Word of the Day for 8 July 2011

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LOLLYGAG  (v. -GAGGED, -GAGGING, -GAGS)

Definition(s):

1. (v.) to dawdle; to fool around or spend time aimlessly

Useful information for game players:

• Front hooks: (none)
• Back hooks: -S
• Anagrams: (none)
• Longer extensions: -GED, -GING
• Wraparounds: (none)
• Other Spellings: LALLYGAG
• Related Forms: (none)

Epilogue:
Sometimes folks just make up words, especially humorous or unusual ones, and sometimes they stick.  Americans have always indulged in such fanciful neologizing.  LOLLYGAG (or LALLYGAG) started appearing in a lot of American publications shortly after the Civil War.  Its origin remains a mystery and it is still used chiefly in America.  HIGHFALUTIN / HIFALUTIN (“pompous or pretentiously fancy”) and HORNSWOGGLE (“to bamboozle or get the better of”) are two other examples of whimsical coinages that were invented in nineteenth century America.

Recapping this week’s words: BUNCOMBE, QUAHOG, HOODOO, ROORBACK, and LOLLYGAG

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