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kerfuffle

nounColloquial

A Canadian English slang term. Browse all Canadian slang.

What it means

  1. A commotion or fuss, usually over something minor. Common in Canada and Britain alike, and notably mild-mannered — it downgrades whatever it describes.

In use

  • There was a bit of a kerfuffle about the seating.

  • Let's not make a kerfuffle out of it.

Where it comes from

From Scots curfuffle, itself from Gaelic car ('twist') plus a Scots intensifier.