spoffish

English

Etymology

Probably from British English dialect spoffle (“to be spoffish”).

Pronunciation

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Adjective

spoffish (comparative more spoffish, superlative most spoffish)

1. (UK, colloquial, dated) earnest and active in matters of no importance; bustling
   • 1836, “Boz” [pseudonym; Charles Dickens], Sketches by “Boz,” Illustrative of Every-day Life, and Every-day People. […], volumes (please specify |volume=I or II), London: John Macrone, […], →OCLC:
     , Horatio Sparkins

     Mr. Malderton, […] a little spoffish man, with green spectacles, entered the room.