Chiefly dial. [Belongs to prec. sb.; it is not certain which is the source of the other. Cf. FIDFAD v.] intr. a. dial. (see quots.). b. nonce-use. To advocate ‘fads.’
1847. Halliwell, Fad, to be busy about trifles.
1879. Miss Jackson, Shropsh. Word-bk., 138. ‘The poor owd Maister canna do much now—on’y fad-about a bit.’
1890. Sat. Rew., 27 Sept., 383/2. We have such a warning against listening to faddists, fad they never so charmingly, as is afforded by the history of no other nation.
Hence Fadding ppl. a.
1864. Field, 28 May, 383. To condemn us old hands as finical, priggish. fadding.
