fuddle etymology

Etymology:

  • Middle English fudlen, fudlen, from Old English fudelian, gefydelian, "to become or make foolish"
  • Ultimately derived from Proto-West Germanic futhlijan, "to be(come) rotten"

Meaning:

  • To make or become confused, bewildered, or foolish
  • To impair the mental faculties
  • To make muddled or unclear

Origin:

The word fuddle originally referred to the process of becoming rotten or decaying, likely from the unpleasant smell associated with decomposition. Over time, the meaning shifted to refer to mental confusion or bewilderment, possibly due to the association of rottenness with mental impairment.

The word has also been used in the sense of "to intoxicate," as in "to fuddle oneself with drink." This usage is likely related to the fact that alcohol can impair mental clarity.

Examples:

  • "He was so fuddle-headed that he couldn't remember his own name."
  • "The speaker's words fuddle my mind."
  • "After a few drinks, she was quite fuddle."

fuddle relate terms

  • befuddle

    Etymology Middle English befudleden from be intensive prefix fuddle to into

  • fuddle

    Etymology Middle English fudlen fudlen from Old English fudelian gefydelian to bec

  • drink

    Etymology The word drink comes from the Old English word drincan which is derived fr

  • booze

    Etymology The word booze is derived from the Middle Dutch word būsen meaning to d

  • muddle

    Etymology The word muddle is derived from the Middle English word modlen which means

  • port

    Etymology The word port comes from the Latin word portus meaning harbor or haven

  • gravel

    Etymology Middle English gravele gravil 13th century Old French gravele gravel 1

  • cartel

    Etymology Origin Italian Meaning Bulletin placard Evolution 16th century First u

  • wine

    Etymology The word wine originates from the Latin word vinum which is believed to ha

  • confuse

    Etymology refers to the origin and development of words It traces the historical changes

  • intoxicate

    Etymology The word intoxicate comes from the Latin word intoxicare which means to p

  • peso

    Etymology Spanish peso Latin pensum payment Meaning and Origin The term peso o