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Farting around

Posted by David FG on February 12, 2011 at 09:04

In Reply to: Farting around posted by Trish R on February 11, 2011 at 22:24:

: Is anyone familiar with the phrase "farting around"?

: I've searched this site and don't see a previous conversation about it. It would be used to replace "wasting time" but in a less critical sort of way. My mother used to tell us kids to stop "farting around" and get back to our chores.

It's in common usage in the British Isles but I would say it isn't quite as 'neutral' in tone as perhaps your Mother used it.

'Farting around' is certainly a criticism and rather stronger than 'wasting time': it carries the additional meaning of misbehaving in some way, I think.

DFG

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