I read it at the Dr. office, and thought ...maybe this could help explain to my wife why I find the bike rebuilding so relaxing:


https://www.southernliving.com/commun...0417000077105/

I rebuild, re-tune, repair, and generally twiddle with bikes when I'm not riding them. But I wouldn't say that it's piddling by the author's definition. Every act is well considered, my work is organized, and I spend the minimum of time necessary to complete the task.

I've rebuilt or reconditioned seven bikes this winter/spring - for friends, myself, or for resale. None of it has been piddling. Satisfying, yes. Piddling, not so much.

It's just me, I guess.

By the way, the winter is a great time to fix the lawn mower. Late spring isn't.

My father used to refer to it as "putzing around", but I suspect "piddling" is more of a southern colloquialism. I like to tinker, and sometimes putz around, but I never piddle.

I'm more of fiddle[f-word]er than a piddler. Also do a little lollygagging, gold-bricking, and dilly-dallying on the side.

I was perplexed by the verb piddling also, but I find that working on bikes, relaxes me more than watching TV

I was born and raised in the South, my wife was born in New Jersey. The first time she asked me what I was doing and I replied with "just piddling around" I got quite the confused look and I had to stop piddling and explain to her what it meant!

Piddle is used commonly south of the Mason-Dixon. I don't recall hearing the verb putzing growing up, but have heard the noun putz.

OH no, will I admit I restored my mower?!?!? full stripdown, new paint, all wheelbearings regreased(yes bearings not bushings) it looks so nice im afraid to get it dirty or leave it out in the rain!!

Sorry to hear that.

Ha! It probably was directed at me.

I think "putzing" is a corruption of "futzing". "Putz" usually means a stupid/foolish person.

It's Yiddish, as in the proverb "Ven der putz steht, ligt der sechel in drerd." You better look it up yourself, I don't want to be banned from this forum.

OK
right off the net:

putz (pts)
n.
1. Slang A fool; an idiot.
2. Vulgar Slang A penis.
intr.v. putzed, putz·ing, putz·es Slang
To behave in an idle manner; putter.

I'm pretty sure my old man was using it in the latter sense. To putter.
Then again ..maybe he was accusing ME of putzing around !

I'm more likely to be puttering around.

also from the net:

pid·dle/ˈpidl/
Verb: Urinate.
Noun:An act of urinating.
Synonyms:
potter - urinate

So, putzing and piddling around seem to derive from a common taxonomy.
I think I'll stick with tinkering.