Waffling

Waffling describes the act of speaking or writing at length in a vague or evasive manner. It often involves avoiding a direct answer or commitment, rambling on without making a clear point, or changing one's position frequently. The term implies a lack of decisiveness, clarity, and often, sincerity. People waffle when they are uncertain, trying to buy time, or seeking to avoid conflict. It can be frustrating for listeners or readers as it obscures the core message and makes it difficult to grasp the speaker's true intentions. It is characterized by indirect language, unnecessary details, and a general tendency to avoid getting to the point. The term is derived from the action of a waffle iron, which creates a pattern of indecision, much like a waffle.

Waffling meaning with examples

• The politician, when questioned about the controversial policy, began waffling, offering a series of non-committal answers and avoiding any direct statement. He skirted the issue for ten minutes until a reporter called him out.
• Instead of directly addressing his concerns, the manager seemed to be waffling about potential outcomes of the project, offering many ifs and buts. This made the team members even more concerned about the project.
• During the debate, the candidate started waffling on his previous stance on tax cuts, shifting his position slightly depending on which way the wind seemed to be blowing. This showed the viewers that he lacked conviction.
• The customer service representative spent twenty minutes waffling about the return policy, never providing a straight answer, as if they were trying to confuse the customer. This led to the customer's intense frustration.