different between tiddly vs fiddly

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /t?d.li/

Etymology 1

Noun

tiddly (plural tiddlies)

1. (slang) An alcoholic beverage.
   • 2002, Pat Patterson, SpiritPath, iUniverse, ?ISBN, p. 429:

     As far as he could tell, except for her evening ‘tiddlies’, two rather hefty drinks taken ‘neat’ without the diluting benefit of water or ice, his mother had very nearly stopped her drinking.

   • 2010, Jeff Jacobson, Wormfood, Medallion Press, ?ISBN, p. 54:

     Well, hell, I figured we’d just save that money, get us a few tiddlies at Fat Ernst’s instead.

   • 2012, Johnny Mack Hood, Cannibal Caper, AuthorHouse, ?ISBN, p. 101:

     JC heard him remark, “I need a bit of the tiddly my dear. It’s been a hard day.” Tiddly, hm, must be an English drink?

Synonyms

• bevvy, libation, tipple; see also Thesaurus:alcoholic beverage

Adjective

tiddly (comparative tiddlier, superlative tiddliest)

1. Somewhat drunk

Synonyms

• tiddled, tipsy, tozy-mozy; see also Thesaurus:drunk

Related terms

• tiddlywinks

Etymology 2

Adjective

tiddly (comparative more tiddly, superlative most tiddly)

1. (colloquial) tiny; little

   Jeff wouldn't slow down, not even a tiddly bit.

Synonyms

• diddy, minute, teensy; see also Thesaurus:tiny

Etymology 3

Interjection

tiddly

1. Alternative form of diddly (a trill sound)

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