tiddlywink: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, Playful, Archaic (in the extended trivial sense)
Quick answer
What does “tiddlywink” mean?
A small plastic disc used in a game where players try to flip their discs into a central cup.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small plastic disc used in a game where players try to flip their discs into a central cup.
The game played with these discs (commonly "tiddlywinks"); by extension, something trivial, childlike, or of little consequence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is known in both varieties but is more culturally entrenched in the UK. The game's competitive scene is more associated with the UK.
Connotations
UK: Strong association with a traditional parlour game; can be used metaphorically for triviality. US: Less common, often perceived as a Britishism.
Frequency
More frequent in UK English.
Grammar
How to Use “tiddlywink” in a Sentence
[play] + [tiddlywinks] (as direct object)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tiddlywink” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He managed to tiddlywink his counter right into the pot.
- Stop tiddlywinking about and get to work!
American English
- She expertly tiddlywinked the disc across the board.
- They spent the afternoon tiddlywinking.
adjective
British English
- It was a tiddlywink tournament, but fiercely competitive.
- He dismissed it as a tiddlywink problem.
American English
- They argued over a tiddlywink rule.
- Don't bring those tiddlywink issues to the CEO.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used metaphorically to dismiss an issue as trivial: 'Let's focus on the merger, not these tiddlywinks.'
Academic
Virtually never used except in historical or cultural studies of games.
Everyday
Used literally to refer to the children's game; humorously to describe minor tasks: 'Sorting these paperclips is a real tiddlywinks job.'
Technical
Used in the context of competitive tiddlywinks strategy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “tiddlywink”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “tiddlywink”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tiddlywink”
- Misspelling as 'tiddlywinkS' when referring to the singular piece (though accepted). Using it as a mass noun ('I played tiddlywink').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is grammatically plural but treated as singular when referring to the game ('Tiddlywinks is fun'). The singular for one piece is 'tiddlywink'.
Etymology is uncertain. It is first recorded in the 19th century, possibly from British slang 'tiddly' meaning 'small' or 'trivial' combined with 'wink' suggesting a flicking motion.
Yes, particularly in the UK. There are official rules, tournaments, and a governing body (the English Tiddlywinks Association).
Yes, informally, meaning 'to flick a tiddlywink' or metaphorically 'to fiddle with something trivial'.
A small plastic disc used in a game where players try to flip their discs into a central cup.
Tiddlywink is usually informal, playful, archaic (in the extended trivial sense) in register.
Tiddlywink: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtɪd.lɪ ˌwɪŋk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtɪd.li ˌwɪŋk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's not just a game of tiddlywinks.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
"TIDDLYWINK" sounds like "little wink" – think of a tiny (tiddly) disc giving a little flip (wink) into the air.
Conceptual Metaphor
TRIVIALITY IS A CHILD'S GAME / MINOR ACTIONS ARE FLICKING OBJECTS.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'tiddlywink' LEAST likely to be used?