Kerfuffle

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /kəˈfÊŒfÉ™l/
• US IPA: /kɚˈfÊŒfÉ™l/
• Rhymes: -ÊŒfÉ™l

Alternative forms

• curfuffle, kafuffle, kerfluffle, kurfuffle
• fuffle by apheresis

Origin

Probably from Scots curfuffle, equivalent to - + fuffle, or related to Irish cior thual ("char athwart: confusion, disorder"). Similar to modern Welsh cythrwfl ("uproar, trouble, agitation")

Full definition of kerfuffle

Noun

1. A disorderly outburst, disturbance, commotion or tumult.
• 2009 May 22, Stuart Heritage, “Jon & Kate Latest: People You Don’t Know Do Crap You Don’t Care About”, HecklersprayYou know all this kerfuffle about Jordan and Peter Andre, and how you don’t know if they’re really splitting up or it’s just an act...
• 2011 June 6, Mark Memmott, “Sarah Palin's Had Her Say; Now Let's Hear From Paul Revere”, The Two-Way, National Public RadioThere's been a bit of a kerfuffle the past couple days over something Sarah Palin said about Paul Revere.

Synonyms

• brouhaha
• fracas
• hubbub
• racket