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c.1540, "to trifle," of unknown origin; of the fingers, first recorded 1676. Fig. phrase twiddle one's thumbs "have nothing to do" is recorded from 1846; to twirl one's thumbs in the same sense is recorded from 1816.
So the origins of the word is most likely unknown, but it is suggested to be circa the mid 1500's. Hope this helps
SOURCE: http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=twiddle
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∙ 8y ago
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What rhymes with twiddle?
diddle, griddle, fiddle, middle, piddle, riddle
Where did the term thumbs up and thumbs down come from?
This is something you would have to research and determine on your own. There is no set origin when it was first defined to mean something, only theories. I would suggest going to the wiki encyclopedia website and search for "Thumbs up". You might find it very interesting that in different parts of the world, it can mean something very good or something very bad.
What are some funny words that start with the letter t?
tuft twot twang twit twiddle
What is a bad occupation for a person who is all thumbs?
One occupation that wouldn't be good for a person who is all thumbs would be a tailor.
How do you spell aposeable?
In the case of thumbs, it is spelled 'Opposable.'
How do you use the word twiddle in a sentence?
"I twiddled my thumbs."
Why do you twiddle your thumbs?
bored
The best way to pass the time?
twiddle your thumbs
How do you make a sentence with twiddle?
Because of the long wait, the nervous Kalan was resinged to twiddling his thumbs.
How does a person twiddle their thumbs?
Twiddling your thumbs is quite simple and can be very entertaining. First you stick your arms slightly out in front of you and interlock your fingers. Then while kepping your fingers interlocked you turn your thumbs in a circular motion. Congratz! You are now twiddling!
What is the origin of the idiom to hold thumbs?
To hope for the best
Name something people do to let you know they're bored?
These are some of the things peole do to let you know they are bored:yawn,sigh,sleep,roll their eyes,twiddle thumbs,rap fingers,look at watch
How do I practice Smash Bros without playing?
You can't become better at something without practicing it. That means, play Smash Bros and get used to the controls and gameplay, and eventually you'll get better. Otherwise, twiddle your thumbs.
What is twiddle Dee and twiddle dum means?
Dunno, it's just a saying lolActually, it refers to being absent-minded. It's derived from the twin characters Twiddle Dee and Twiddle Dum, who were dumb, in the classic Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll.
What is twiddle factor?
A twiddle factor, in fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithms, is any of the trigonometric constant coefficients that are multiplied by the data in the course of the algorithm.
Do frogs have thumbs?
the male frog has a black dot on their thumbs so they have thumbs
What is the origin of the body language signifying 'Thumbs up'?
There are several theories regarding the origin of this sign. One of the most popular is that it probably originates from a custom in Ancient Rome: In the arena, after a battle between gladiators, the crowd decided if the winner would either kill or spare his defeated opponent, by holding their thumbs up (that meant mercy) or down (death).
