Word of the week: flumdiddle

December 27, 2016 — 10:14am

Definition: Useless nonsense.

Sample usage: "If this news release had any more flumdiddle, it would make a BuzzFeed quiz look like the SATs."

Popularity: As you might have guessed, it's an old word. But it staged a furious comeback at the end of 2016, according to Merriam-Webster's analysis of web searches. "Flummerdiddle" is also acceptable, as is "flummydiddle." Feel free to shorten it up as you like: "How was your year?" "Eh. Flum."

JAMES LILEKS

Heard a new word or phrase you want us to dissect? Let us know at word@startribune.com. See previous entries at startribune.com/word.

More from Star Tribune

Vikings Vikings take McCarthy, Turner in first-round bid to 'swing for a great player'

5:36am

Local Prosecutor shake-up in Moriarty's office in murder case against trooper Londregan

April 25

Vikings Scoggins: Adofo-Mensah meets draft night challenge in a big way

5:49am

Curious Minnesota Searching for Snoopy: What happened to all the 'Peanuts' statues in St. Paul?

6:24am

More from Star Tribune

Vikings Vikings take McCarthy, Turner in first-round bid to 'swing for a great player'

5:36am

Local Prosecutor shake-up in Moriarty's office in murder case against trooper Londregan

April 25

Vikings Scoggins: Adofo-Mensah meets draft night challenge in a big way

5:49am

Curious Minnesota Searching for Snoopy: What happened to all the 'Peanuts' statues in St. Paul?

6:24am

More from Star Tribune

Vikings Vikings take McCarthy, Turner in first-round bid to 'swing for a great player'

5:36am

Local Prosecutor shake-up in Moriarty's office in murder case against trooper Londregan

April 25

Vikings Scoggins: Adofo-Mensah meets draft night challenge in a big way

5:49am

Curious Minnesota Searching for Snoopy: What happened to all the 'Peanuts' statues in St. Paul?

6:24am

Vikings Neal: McCarthy mania sweeps through Vikings draft party

6:33am

Vikings Five things to know about new Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy

April 25

More from Star Tribune

Vikings Vikings take McCarthy, Turner in first-round bid to 'swing for a great player'

5:36am

Local Prosecutor shake-up in Moriarty's office in murder case against trooper Londregan

April 25

Vikings Scoggins: Adofo-Mensah meets draft night challenge in a big way

5:49am

Curious Minnesota Searching for Snoopy: What happened to all the 'Peanuts' statues in St. Paul?

6:24am

Vikings Neal: McCarthy mania sweeps through Vikings draft party

6:33am

Vikings Five things to know about new Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy

April 25

More from Star Tribune

Vikings Vikings take McCarthy, Turner in first-round bid to 'swing for a great player'

5:36am

Local Prosecutor shake-up in Moriarty's office in murder case against trooper Londregan

April 25

Vikings Scoggins: Adofo-Mensah meets draft night challenge in a big way

5:49am

Curious Minnesota Searching for Snoopy: What happened to all the 'Peanuts' statues in St. Paul?

6:24am

More from Star Tribune

Vikings Vikings take McCarthy, Turner in first-round bid to 'swing for a great player'

5:36am

Local Prosecutor shake-up in Moriarty's office in murder case against trooper Londregan

April 25

Vikings Scoggins: Adofo-Mensah meets draft night challenge in a big way

5:49am

Curious Minnesota Searching for Snoopy: What happened to all the 'Peanuts' statues in St. Paul?

6:24am

More from Star Tribune

Vikings Vikings take McCarthy, Turner in first-round bid to 'swing for a great player'

5:36am

Local Prosecutor shake-up in Moriarty's office in murder case against trooper Londregan

April 25

Vikings Scoggins: Adofo-Mensah meets draft night challenge in a big way

5:49am

More from Star Tribune

Vikings Vikings take McCarthy, Turner in first-round bid to 'swing for a great player'

5:36am

Local Prosecutor shake-up in Moriarty's office in murder case against trooper Londregan

April 25

Vikings Scoggins: Adofo-Mensah meets draft night challenge in a big way

5:49am

Jerry Seinfeld's commitment to the bit

Jerry Seinfeld has been responsible for more movies than you think.

Variety

57 minutes ago

Music Review: Anitta welcomes listeners into her 'Funk Generation' on new album

First, Anitta took over Brazil. Now, the world. The trilingual Brazilian pop star has returned with a new album, the club-to-bedroom ready ''Funk Generation.'' It is an infectious collection of dance songs celebrating a once maligned genre that also manages to experiment beyond its confines. But those searching for more mainstream pop music should look elsewhere.

Variety

8:15am