dilly-dallyin’
In Appalachian and Southern talk, "dilly-dallyin’" means wasting time by hesitating, dawdling, or fooling around. It’s a cousin to "lollygaggin’," often said with a mix of impatience and humor.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
If I ask one of the kids to help me, pretty often I'll add, "and don't 'dilly-dally', let's get it done." Pronunciation
[DIL-ee-dal-in]
Meaning & Usage
- Dawdling, wasting time (verb)
Mae:
Y’all quit dilly-dallyin’ - church starts in ten minutes.
Y’all quit dilly-dallyin’ - church starts in ten minutes.
Earl:
I’m comin’, just findin’ my boots.
I’m comin’, just findin’ my boots.- Hesitating, not deciding (verb)
Ruby:
She’s been dilly-dallyin’ over which pie to buy.
She’s been dilly-dallyin’ over which pie to buy.
Estel:
Ain’t that hard - get both.
Ain’t that hard - get both.other spellings: lollygaggin’, dawdlin’, messin’ around, slow-pokin’, and draggin’ your feet
★ "Dilly-dallyin’" often carries more of a sense of hesitation than "lollygaggin’," but both scold folks for movin’ too slow or not takin’ care of business. ★
Origin
The phrase dates back to the 1700s in British English, formed by reduplication of "dally" (to waste time). It crossed into American speech and stuck in the South and Appalachia, where it’s still common in everyday talk.
Notes
"Dilly-dallyin’" is often playful, but it can carry some heat if someone’s truly impatient. You’ll hear it from parents, grandparents, and bosses when time’s a-wastin’.
Say It Like a Southerner
Say it quick and playful: "DIL-ee-dal-in." The last "g" falls off, leaving that familiar Appalachian "-in’" ending.