diddle
UK[ˈdɪd.l̩]US[ˈdɪd.l̩]
v
To cheat or swindle someone, especially out of money.
v
To waste time in a trifling or aimless way; to dawdle.
Etymology
The verb 'diddle' first appeared in English in the early 19th century. Its origin is obscure but it is likely a playful, reduplicated formation, similar to words like 'dilly-dally' or 'pitter-patter', which imitate a sense of trivial or repetitive motion. Initially used to mean 'to jerk or move back and forth quickly', its meaning evolved by association to denote trifling activity or dawdling. From this notion of unserious, potentially deceptive movement, the word acquired its primary modern sense of cheating or swindling someone, capturing the idea of a petty, tricky action.
Analysis
The word 'diddle' is a simplex word of uncertain origin, likely formed through reduplication or onomatopoeic processes. It does not contain separable, meaningful morphemes in the modern English spelling.
Examples
The street vendor tried to diddle the tourist by charging double the normal price.
Stop diddling with your phone and finish your homework.
He spent the afternoon diddling around in the garage instead of fixing the car.