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?
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.
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.
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,
