tarradiddle

tarradiddle

English

Alternative forms

• taradiddle

Etymology

Perhaps derived from diddle (“to cheat”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈtæ.ɹə.dɪ.dəl/

Noun

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, Rowling, J. K., 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 –’