The Observer, September 15, 2006
Volume XXXIX, Issue 3
Definition and usage of triflin' explained
Letter to the Editor
A new word for the Case campus: triflin.' It is defined in dictionary.com as, "a matter, affair, article or circumstance of trivial importance or significance." "Any wrong or inappropriate action taken against one, for selfish or pointless reasons," and "describing a situation, person, or event that is pathetic" are definitions given by urbandictionary.com.
Do you see the disparity between the two words? My editor last week wasn't able to see it. In my original article, I wrote "Your roommates or suitemates will be trifling." In error, the word trifling was changed into trivial. A mistake that is understanding. Not many people use the word in the way that I use it. I'm going to tell you everything I know about the word – its usage, when to use it, how to use, and its handiness.
The beauty of the word "triflin'" is in its usage. The word can be used for just about any negative situation. Let me give an example. Your best friend sleeps with your girlfriends. That's triflin'! It sums everything up so well. You could say it's wrong, dishonest, not right, an insult, or messed up. Sometimes, rather than there be an unlimited amount of words available, there are no words that can describe the situation. Then the only option is to scream. Stay civil; use your words, don't be a prehistoric ape that yells and grunts. This is when the word triflin' is perfect.
I think I am getting ahead of myself. I am telling you how "triflin'" is the perfect word, but I haven't really explained what is triflin'. Sure, I gave a definition but I haven't fully explained the word. I have no idea where the connotation of the word comes from. I searched all weekend for someone who knew, but my search came up empty. Everyone remembers hearing the word, but not from where it comes. My first memory of the word is from my mother. I can remember doing something wrong, and her calling me trifling'. Since then, I can only remember using the word.
Triflin' is a word that can be used for many situations. Let me give you three examples of when to use the word. Your imagination can take over and you can use the word whenever you feel it's appropriate. You can't go wrong. The usefulness of the word is that there really is no incorrect usage.
Let's say that someone is wearing a dingy white tee or hat. You could say that the white tee or hat is trifling'. Or, someone hasn't showered in a week. They are being trifling'. If you just took a hard Chemistry test, when finished you could even say that test was straight trifling or nasty. Last example is if someone eats two week old Chinese food. Their actions or the food itself could be described as trifling'. It doesn't matter if you use triflin' as a verb, adjective, adverb, or noun. It can work. The possibilities on the usage of the word are infinite.
The origins of the word are unknown but its usage is not. It is a perfect word for the human tongue. It can be used for any verb, adjective, noun, and adverb. It doesn't matter how you use it, just as long as it's in a negative situation. Ever in doubt, just stick it in your sentence and it is most likely to be right. Ever find yourself at a loss for words? Go ahead and yell, trifling'!
