fifl

See also: fífl, and fífl-

Old Swedish

Etymology

From Old Norse fífl (“fool, idiot, buffoon”). Cognate with Icelandic fífl (“fool, idiot, buffoon”).

Noun

fifl

1. idiocy, folly, foolishness, ridiculousness
   • c. 1643, Stiernhielm, Georg, Gambla swea- och götha måles fatebur, Stockholm:

     Alt hwad Menniskian i Werlden fyses om, och äflas medh, är fifl (som the gambla tala) och folsko.

     All that the human race in the world fusses about, and strive after, is idiocy (as the old say) and foolishness.