Member-only story
Are you spuddling? If not, maybe you should be!
Don’t Just Be Busy, Be Productive
In the fast-paced world of today, where productivity and efficiency are highly valued, it’s easy to get caught up in the rat race and feel like you’re constantly on the go. But what if there was a word that described those moments when you’re busy but not actually getting anything done? Meet “spuddle,” a verb from centuries ago that means to work feebly and ineffectively, because your mind is elsewhere or you haven’t quite woken up yet.
The origins of the word “spuddle” are uncertain, but it is believed to have been in use since the 17th century. It is a combination of the words “spurt” and “puddle,” which gives a sense of aimlessly splashing around in a task, without any real direction or purpose.
The word “spuddle” is a great way to describe those times when you’re trying to focus on a task, but your mind keeps wandering. Maybe you’re trying to read an important document, but your thoughts keep drifting to your to-do list for the day. Or perhaps you’re trying to write an important email, but you keep getting sidetracked by notifications on your phone. In these cases, you’re not really getting anything done, you’re just spuddling.
It’s also a great way to describe those moments when you’re busy, but not actually achieving anything…
