Waffle (speech)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The term waffle, particularly outside of the U.S., denotes language without meaning; blathering, babbling, droning. One might waffle throughout an essay or a presentation, when not having enough material or needing to fill in time. Etymologists say the term was derived from waff, a 17th-century onomatopoeia for the sound a barking dog makes, similar to the modern woof. Although the relationship between a dog's bark and indecisiveness is not entirely clear, the speculation is that the words of a waffler have no more meaning than a dog barking.^{[citation needed]}

Waffling can also be used as a derogatory term to describe a candidate or politician who is said to easily switch sides on issues to curry political favor, as an easily-flipped breakfast food with the same name. A waffle was famously used to represent President Bill Clinton in the Doonesbury comic strip.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] References

This article does not cite any references or sources. (January 2007) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.