waffle
waffle
UK[ˈwɒfl]US[ˈwɑːfl]
n
a crisp, light cake with a pattern of deep, square holes on both sides, made by cooking batter in a special appliance (a waffle iron).
v
to fail to make a clear decision or to speak or write at length in a vague or trivial way.
Etymology
the english word 'waffle' for the food item is borrowed from the dutch 'wafel', which itself descends from the middle dutch 'wafele'. this term is related to the old high german 'waba', meaning 'honeycomb', a fitting allusion to the food's distinctive grid-like appearance. the verb sense, meaning to speak indecisively or at length, emerged in the late 19th century, originally as american student slang. it is believed to be a humorous extension, drawing a comparison between trivial, rambling talk and the repetitive, back-and-forth motion used to make the patterned cake.
Analysis
the word 'waffle' is a simplex loanword from dutch.
Examples
she ordered a waffle topped with fresh strawberries and whipped cream.
the politician continued to waffle on the issue, refusing to give a direct answer.
don't just waffle; get to the main point of your argument.