Are you waiting for someone while they 'faff' around? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
The expression 'faff' is British slang, meaning to complete tasks that appear to be a waste of time. It's similar to procrastinating, but procrastinators don't do anything. A person who 'faffs' usually completes useless tasks, wasting the time of others.
Typically, a person who 'faffs' completes mundane tasks, such as fixing their appearance, or cleaning up around the house, when they should be doing more important things. They don't consider how their actions could delay other people's schedules.
Example Usage
"I don't know what is going on. She's been in there for hours just faffing around. If we don't leave soon, we're going to hit traffic, and it's going to take hours to get there."
"If you must faff around, can you at least hurry up? It's getting late, and I have other things to do this evening."
"There is no reason to faff around now. You look perfect, and there's nothing you can do to make yourself look better. Let's just get out of here, okay?"
"I told him that I faff around sometimes, and he needs to understand that's just a part of who I am. I need time to get myself ready, so he can wait."
"Are you going to faff around all day? This is taking forever. I'm going to go and take care of a few errands. I'll be back in an hour to pick you up."
"All this faffing around is getting us nowhere. Let's just wrap things up now and go home. We're not going to get anything else done today with the light fading."
"She's still getting ready. I asked her to not faff around, but it looks like that request fell on deaf ears. You go ahead. We'll meet you there when she's done."
Origin
The expression 'faff' originates from Scotland and Northern England. The word's first appearance was towards the end of the 19th century. Originally, the term was meant to describe small gusts of wind. The North Yorkshire glossary, published in 1868, defines 'faff' as follows.
"As when a person blows chaff away from corn held in his hands, or the wind when it causes brief puffs of smoke to return down the chimney."
Some experts think the term comes from a variation of the word 'maffle,' a widely distributed term in Scotland and England that means to stammer, stutter, or procrastinate, thereby wasting people's time. There is also some evidence suggesting it has a link to the old Dutch word 'maffelen,' meaning to chew or move your jaws.
However, the modern use of 'faff' seems to enter the English lexicon as a widely used word for procrastination in the early 19900s. However, it wouldn't appear in print until the 1980s.
Phrases Similar to Faff
- Procrastinate.
- Time waster.
Phrases Opposite to Faff
- Punctual.
- On time.
What is the Correct Saying?
- Faff.
- Faffing.
Ways People May Say Faff Incorrectly
The word 'faff' has no relation to the word 'fap,' which is a euphemism for masturbation. "Faffing' doesn't have a 'gay' connotation, and it doesn't describe homosexual behavior.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Faff
You can use the term 'faff' when describing someone doing useless tasks that waste time. You could say someone is 'faffing' if they're delaying your departure by needing to go to the bathroom or fix their makeup. You could say someone 'faffed' it if they failed to complete a task due to their procrastination.
'Faff' suits social and professional use. You could say your partner is faffing around with her makeup, and you're going to be late for your dinner reservation. You could say your son was faffing around after school and was late to meet you in the parking lot. A colleague at work could be faffing around with pointless tasks, delaying the competition of an important project.