U.S. Also flumme-. [prob. arbitrarily f. FLUMMERY.]
1. (See quot.)
1872. S. De Vere, Americanisms, 338. It [flummadiddle] consists of … stale bread, pork-fat, molasses, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves; by the aid of these materials a kind of mush is made, which is baked in the oven and brought to the table hot and brown.
1884. Sala, in Illustr. Lond. News, 19 July, 51/2.
2. slang. Nonsense, humbug; also, something trivial or ridiculous.
1882. E. Cumings, in Chicago Advance, 21 Sept. Surely if they have time to follow intricate directions for making all sorts of trimming, not so good as that sold in the shops at two cents a yard, and for crocheting all sorts of flummediddles, they may, if they will, find a few moments in which to read a book.
