Word Etymology

An Internet check resulted in the following word etymology for lollygagging: 0rigin unknown, first documented use (?) 1862. The word is an intransitive verb which means to fool around or dawdle. If you break it down further loll means to relax, pass time idly and gag means to trick or deceive. Further research resulted in two dictionaries spelling the word as lallygag, and a secondary meaning being to kiss or neck. For the purposes of this blog we will stick with any of the following definitions: dally, piddling around, to loaf, fool around (kiss or neck), and spend time aimlessly. All of the above can be applied to living life retired!

I did a random Google search for lollygagging and received 72,000 hits. There is a blog on the New Social Worker's website with the title "Lollygagging". I have worked with social workers and they definitely were not lollygaggers, but do deserve some lollygagging time! There was also "Liberal Lollygagging" and a YouTube type video of Craig Owens' acoustic rendition of the song "Lindsey Quit Lollygagging".

So now you know the word is legitimate and we all know some lollygaggers! It's almost 10:30 and I still haven't showered, my grocery list looks like scrambled eggs and I'm piddling around writing about loafing and Mike would just gag. Relax, I did start a load of laundry before turning on the computer!