Frivolous behavior, petty fussing, or meaningless activity; the art or practice of fidgeting with things.
From 'fiddle' with the suffix '-ery' (behavior, practice, or collection of things). Emerged in English to describe frivolous activity collectively.
The suffix '-ery' usually creates concrete meanings (like 'pottery' or 'archery'), but 'fiddlery' is abstract—showing how English lets us treat abstractions like crafts we can practice.
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