different between diddly vs fiddly

English

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?d?d?li/

Etymology 1

Short for diddly-squat.

Noun

diddly (plural diddlies)

1. (informal) A small amount of no worth.

   Synonyms: see Thesaurus:modicum

Etymology 2

Onomatopoeic.

Alternative forms

• tiddely
• tiddly
• tiddledy
• tiddley

Interjection

diddly

1. A written representation of a trill sound.

Etymology 3

Possibly shortened from diddlywhacker.

Noun

diddly (plural diddlies)

1. (slang, sometimes childish) penis

   Synonyms: see Thesaurus:penis

   • 1968, Monica Dickens, The Landlord's Daughter, Doubleday & Company (1968), page 268:

     "My child is going to be taught all about sex as soon as he can understand. Mother-in-law is always clucking to him about his diddly. No, no, I say, you must call it penis."

English

Etymology

fiddle +? -y, from the verb.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?f?dli/

Adjective

fiddly (comparative fiddlier, superlative fiddliest)

1. Requiring dexterity to operate.

   The buttons on the tiny mobile phone were too fiddly.

2. (by extension) Having many small bits or embellishments.
3. Of or relating to fiddling or fidgeting.
   • 2012, Terry Rummins, So, I've Got Parkinson's Disease (page 62)

     I can divide my movements into two types: gross motor and fine motor (in other words, large movements and small, fiddly movements) and, as I have already described, I have far more problems with the latter than the former.

4. Pertaining to occasional under-the-table work by people who receive unemployment benefits

Derived terms

• fiddliness