英和和英

語源

Unknown, 1847. Perhaps blend of piddle +‎ trifle, perhaps puff (“(onomatopoeia, puff of air)”) +‎ -le (“diminutive”).^[1]

発音

• (英国発音, 米国発音) IPA^(key): /ˈpɪf.əl/
• 韻: -ɪfəl

名詞

piffle (uncountable)

1. Nonsense, foolish talk.

   Synonyms: see Thesaurus:nonsense

   • 2008 November 27, “Walking: More than gadding about”, in The Economist‎^[1]:

     The wafflier the piffle, the more sharply Mr Nicholson wields his skewer.

   • 2022 May 31, James Vincent, “Boris Johnson’s move to bring back imperial units is pure piffle – and simply unfathomable”, in The Guardian‎^[2]:

     The move is obviously pure piffle: a dumbshow designed to placate (または at least entertain) the conservative base while distracting and antagonising rivals.

動詞

piffle (三人称単数 現在形 piffles, 現在分詞 piffling, 過去形および過去分詞形 piffled)

1. To act or speak in a futile, ineffective, or nonsensical manner.
2. To waste, to fritter away.
3. (dated) To be squeamish or delicate.

同意語

• (act または speak in a futile manner): trifle, twaddle

参照