kerfuffle
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
Probably from Scots curfuffle, equivalent to ker- + fuffle, or related to Irish cior thual (“char athwart: confusion, disorder”). Similar to modern Welsh cythrwfl (“uproar, trouble, agitation”)
Pronunciation
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "RP" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /kəˈfʌfəl/
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "US" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /kɚˈfʌfəl/
Audio (US): (file) Audio (AU): (file) - Rhymes: -ʌfəl
Noun
kerfuffle (plural kerfuffles)
- (chiefly British, informal) A disorderly outburst, disturbance, commotion, or tumult.
- 2009 May 22, Stuart Heritage, “Jon & Kate Latest: People You Don’t Know Do Crap You Don’t Care About”, Hecklerspray
- You know all this kerfuffle about Jordan and Peter Andre, and how you don’t know if they’re really splitting up or it’s just an act […]
- 2011 June 6, Mark Memmott, “Sarah Palin's Had Her Say; Now Let's Hear From Paul Revere”, The Two-Way, National Public Radio
- There's been a bit of a kerfuffle the past couple days over something Sarah Palin said about Paul Revere.
- 2009 May 22, Stuart Heritage, “Jon & Kate Latest: People You Don’t Know Do Crap You Don’t Care About”, Hecklerspray
Derived terms
Translations
disorderly outburst
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Verb
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- (chiefly British, informal) To make a disorderly outburst or commotion.