Lollygag

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /ˈlɒlɪɡæɡ/

Definitions

1. To waste time by being slow or aimless instead of doing what is planned
2. To pass time in a leisurely or lazy way without urgency
3. To delay or procrastinate by idling or behaving without purpose

Etymology: "Lollygag" is an American word, and its earliest documented use is a student's memoir. In 1871, L. H. Bagg published "Four Years at Yale," and the word appears in American dialect records from that period, with evidence of use going back to at least 1859. Its meaning, to dawdle or loaf without any sense of urgency, has stayed remarkably stable since then. The word is a blend of two older American slang elements. "Lolly" was a dialect term meaning a fool or a tongue, while "gag" meant to fool around or joke. Put together, they describe someone who is goofing off. The pairing sounds playful because it is: both halves carry a sense of silliness rather than laziness in the strict sense. A close relative, "lollypoop," turns up as a similar formation, showing that speakers of the period were freely building these nonsense-flavored combinations. The "lolly" in "lollygag" should not be confused with the word for a candy on a stick, which has a separate history.

Synonyms: dawdle, linger, loaf

Antonyms: hurry, rush