dawdlin’
In Appalachian and Southern speech, "dawdlin’" means moving too slowly, wasting time, or being slow to act. It’s often used in scolding when someone should be hurrying.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
'Dawdlin’' is one you'll hear out in the hills. Pronunciation
[DAW-dlin]
Meaning & Usage
- To move slowly or waste time (verb, informal)
Mae:
Why ain’t you ready yet?
Why ain’t you ready yet?
Earl:
He’s still dawdlin’ upstairs.
He’s still dawdlin’ upstairs.- To hesitate or delay (verb, figurative)
Mae:
Did you fix the fence?
Did you fix the fence?
Earl:
Nope, been dawdlin’ around all morning.
Nope, been dawdlin’ around all morning.other spellings: dawdling
★ "Dawdlin’" is often paired with scolding phrases like "get your tail in gear" or "quit piddlin’." It’s one of those country words that means someone’s slow on purpose. ★
Origin
From Middle English *daw* (a simpleton) + *-dle* (frequentative ending), meaning "to waste time, be slow." In Southern and Appalachian English, it stuck as a common everyday scolding word.
Notes
Still widely used in Southern and Appalachian households. While "dawdling" is understood nationally, the clipped "dawdlin’" remains a hallmark of regional family talk. Related to piddlin’ and get your tail in gear.
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain: "dawd-lin." The "g" is dropped: "dawdlin’."