tarradiddle

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English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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Perhaps derived from diddle (to cheat).

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /ˈtæ.ɹə.dɪ.dəl/

Noun

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tarradiddle (countable and uncountable, plural tarradiddles)

  1. A trivial lie, a fib.
    • 1923, Walter de la Mare, Seaton's Aunt:
      "I dare say my nephew told you a good many tarradiddles in his time. Oh, yes, a good many, eh? He was always a liar. What, now, did he say of me? Tell me, now."
  2. Silly talk or writing; humbug.
    • 1866, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Crime and Punishment:
      Of course, that's all taradiddle; he lies like a horse, for I know this Dushkin, he is a pawnbroker and a receiver of stolen goods []
    • 2003, J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, London: Bloomsbury, page 161):
      ‘We haven’t got time to listen to more taradiddles, I’m afraid, Dumbledore. I want this dealt with quickly –’