OK, a waffle is a reguarly scarred and pitted pancake. And I find it is also unneeded verbiage. But I can't find that it is "to be unable to make one's mind," which is what I always thought it meant, too. Any opinions?
April 13, 2011, 15:13
<Proofreader>
For some reason, I can't edit the last entry so
waffle -- undecided
is what I wanted to write in place of the verbosity I wrote.
April 13, 2011, 16:18
Geoff
Maybe your favorite search engine is waffling on whether to present your desired definition. I've long used it to mean equivocating.
It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society. -J. Krishnamurti
April 13, 2011, 16:43
goofy
It's in the OED Online from 1803!
April 13, 2011, 18:44
Kalleh
There's an interesting distinction, apparently, between its use in the U.S. and in England, according to Quinion.
quote:
Presumably you mean by waffle that you were equivocating, writing evasively or using ambiguous language that avoided coming to any definite conclusion? That’s the usual way that Americans use it. We Brits have a slightly different sense: we apply it to speech or writing that goes on at great length but without saying anything that’s important or useful — a subtle distinction.
April 13, 2011, 23:07
Guy Barry
I had no idea about the US usage, but I can see how it might have arisen: one common reason for waffling (in the British sense) might be because one is unable to make up one's mind.
April 14, 2011, 10:25
Kalleh
Yes. That's precisely our use of the word. Politicians, for example, are often accused of "waffling" on issues.This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kalleh,
April 14, 2011, 11:30
<Proofreader>
So if i can't make up my mind whether I like regualar or blueberry pancakes best, am I "waffling"?
April 14, 2011, 18:07
Geoff
Proof, you buttermilk that pun for all it's worth!
It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society. -J. Krishnamurti