[f. TRIFLE v.1 + -ING1.] The action of the verb TRIFLE; jesting or frivolous talk; fooling; idle, foolish, or frivolous conduct or practice; frivolous delay or waste of time; † also concr. (pl.) trumpery (quot. c. 1540).
1382. Wyclif, Wisd. iv. 12. Forsothe priue desceyuyng of trifling [L. fascinatio nugacitatis] derkneth goode thingus.
a. 1400[?]. Morte Arth., 114. With-owttyne more trouflynge the trebute we aske.
c. 1460. [see TRIFLE v.1 3].
1530. Palsgr., 283/1. Tryflynges, scoffynges, fredaines.
c. 1540. Heywood, Four P. P., A iv b. Euery pedler In euery trifull must be a medler Specially in womens triflynges, Those vse we chieflye aboue all thynges.
1586. J. Hooker, Hist. Irel., in Holinshed, II. 163/1. He returned his answer by a letter … vsing therein nothing but triflings and delaies.
a. 1694. Tillotson, Serm. (1742), III. 345. What a frivolous contention, what a trifling in serious matters.
1768. Chesterf., Lett. to Godson, 15 Sept. Wit if you have any, and … agreable trifling or badinage.
1840. Kingsley, Lett. (1878), I. 50. You are not bigoted by the solemn trifling of the schools.
1873. M. Arnold, Lit. & Dogma (1876), p. xi. All other religious discussion is idle trifling.
1885. Manch. Exam., 4 May, 5/2. Speeches … marked by a good deal of brilliant trifling.
