What does diddle mean Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˈdɪdəl/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Verb or Noun

Definition

What does diddle mean (verb): to deceive or cheat someone, often in a playful or humorous way.
What does diddle mean (noun): a tune or song, especially a lively or rustic one.

Examples

• He tried to diddle me out of my money, but I caught on.
• The musician played a lively diddle on his fiddle.

Synonyms

• Deceive
• Cheat
• Tune
• Song

Antonyms

• Honest
• Truthful
• Straightforward

Etymology

The word “diddle” has its roots in the Old English word “diddelen,” which means “to play the fiddle.” Over time, the word evolved to also mean “to deceive or cheat.” In the 17th century, the word “diddle” became associated with rustic or folk music, and was often used to describe lively or playful tunes.

Usage Notes

When using the word “diddle” as a verb, it’s often used in the present tense to describe a ongoing action, such as “He’s trying to diddle me out of my money.” When using the word as a noun, it’s often used to describe a specific type of music, such as “The musician played a lively diddle on his fiddle.”

Cultural References

The word “diddle” has been used in various forms of media, including literature, music, and film. For example, in the classic children’s book “The Wind in the Willows,” the character Toad is known for his love of playing the fiddle and singing diddles.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• To diddle someone around
• To diddle with someone
• To play a diddle on someone

Related Words or Phrases

• Deceive
• Cheat
• Tune
• Song
• Fiddle

Collocations

• To diddle someone out of their money
• To play a diddle on the fiddle
• To sing a diddle with a merry tune

Frequency of Use

The word “diddle” is not as commonly used in modern language as it was in the past. However, it can still be found in certain contexts, such as in folk music or in playful or humorous situations.

Common Misspellings

• Diddel
• Diddell
• Diddlin’