Lollygagging...

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Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 10:00 am

<br>I subscribe to dictionary.com's Word Of The Day and received today's...which I thought quite appropriate to scambaiting...

Quote:

Word of the Day: Lollygag (verb)

Pronunciation: ['lah-li-g�g]

Definition: (Humorous slang) To dawdle, usually holding someone up or delaying some other action; to neck or pet deceptively.

Usage: The activity is "lollygagging" with two [g]s before the suffix, no matter what your spellcheck says, and someone who dawdles is a "lollygagger."

Suggested Usage: Today's word is clearly slang and should be avoided in formal speech and writing. However, in informal situations it may work when a bit of humor is called for: "Raphael, stop lollygagging and get in the car. You can pick your nose on the road!" In Britain, of course, where "lolly" is a piece of hard candy (lollipop) and "gag" also means "choke," this Americanism might evoke less laughter.

Etymology: A playful semi-compound based on loll "waste time" + gag "deceive, fool." According to the Oxford English Dictionary, The Northern Vindicator of Estherville, Iowa in 1868 referred to "The lascivious lolly-gagging lumps of licentiousness who disgrace the common decencies of life�." In the 40s and 50s it took on the meaning "necking," which was usually carried out deceptively. Ellery Queen wrote in 1965 of "lallygagging around under the awning away from the gassy streets" but by that time the intimate connotation of the word had mostly worn off.

�Dr. Language, yourDictionary.com