subs. phr. (colloquial).—Ado; a fuss; a commotion; a set-out: cf. Fr. affaire (à faire).
1330. Romance of Seven Sages [WEBER, iii. 73]. Make moche TO DONE.
1675. EVELYN, Diary, 22 March. ‘What a TO-DO is here!’ would he say; ‘I can lie in straw with as much satisfaction.’
1695. CONGREVE, Love for Love, iii. 1. What ’s here TO DO? O the Father! A man with her! … O you young harlotry.
1837. DICKENS, Pickwick Papers, iv. The next day there was another visit to Doctors’ Commons, and a great TO-DO with an attesting ostler.
