ˈtwiddle-ˈtwaddle
[Reduplication of twaddle n.: cf. twittle-twattle.]
Mere twaddle or foolish chatter. Also attrib.
| 1798 C. Smith Yng. Philos. I. 164 Then my Aunt will come with her tendernesses, and her tears, and twiddle twaddle ways of dear niecing and sweet girling me. 1868 J. Greenwood in Morn. Star 8 June, His schoolmaster..gave him to learn twiddle-twaddle rubbish, without the least flavour in it! 1886 Pall Mall G. 31 Aug. 11/2 Mann..reserved the hottest passages of his fiery speech for denunciations of the ‘twiddle-twaddle of trade unionism’. |
Hence as v. intr., to chatter foolishly (nonce-wd.).
| a 1930 D. H. Lawrence Phoenix II (1968) 480 All you can do now is to twiddle-twaddle about golden boughs. |