trifling
Lazy, no-account, or not worth the fuss.
Also called triflin', triflin.
Updated September 24, 2026
trifling pronunciation
/TRY-flin/
Meaning
Said two ways. About a person, triflin' means shiftless and unreliable: won't keep a job, won't help, ain't worth much around the place. About a thing, it means petty or small: a trifling scratch, a trifling excuse. Either way it is a hard judgment. Grandmas across the South have used it as one of the worst labels short of cussing.
How folks use it
- “He's too triflin' to keep steady work.”
- “Quit fussin' over that trifling scratch.”
Origin and etymology
From trifle, a thing of little value. Southern and Midland English (including African American speech) kept a stronger sense for people: lazy, shiftless, worthless. DARE marks those uses chiefly South and Midland. Older English and even Bible English already had tryflinge for idle busybodies.
Frequently asked questions
Is trifling always an insult?
Aimed at a person, yes. Aimed at a little problem, it just means don't make a big deal of it.