Delete comment from: Boston 1775
J. L. Bell said...
Dr. Samuel Johnson’s dictionary defined “doodle” as “A trifler; an idler.” He posited it came from “do little.”
Modern etymologists say the word “doodle” was in use by the early 1600s, meaning “fool” or “simpleton,” perhaps derived from the German Dudeltopf. By the early 18th century the verb “doodle” meant to swindle—i.e., to make a fool of someone.
The word may also have had an obscene meaning at the time, to be sure. Where is that documented?
Jul 9, 2020, 10:24:35 PM