Meddle is a verb that means "to interfere or involve oneself in other people's affairs without permission." Its spelling is in accordance with the English language's irregularity, which the IPA transcription shows as /ˈmɛdl/. In this word, the "dd" is pronounced similarly to "dl," leading to its unique spelling. The word meddle's meaning carries a negative connotation, especially in social contexts because it involves crossing the boundaries that people have set for themselves.
Meddle is a verb that refers to interfering or involving oneself in matters or affairs that do not concern or belong to one. It involves intruding or tampering with someone else's business or personal affairs without proper authorization or invitation. The act of meddling typically implies an unwelcome or intrusive intervention, and it can take various forms such as giving unwanted advice, intervening in conflicts, or attempting to manipulate the outcomes of certain situations.
Meddling often involves actions or behaviors that disrupt the natural flow of events or the autonomy of others by imposing one's opinions, desires, or actions upon them. It is usually regarded as a negative or undesirable behavior, as it can lead to unnecessary complications, conflicts, or resentment between individuals.
The term "meddle" can also connote a sense of prying or snooping, involving oneself in others' private matters with the intention of discovering or uncovering confidential information or secrets. This form of interference often violates personal boundaries and invades one's privacy.
Overall, meddling is an act that disregards the personal space, autonomy, and boundaries of others, involving oneself in their affairs without invitation or legitimate reason. The term carries a negative connotation, reflecting the general view that it is undesirable and impolite to meddle in the affairs of others without consent or valid justification.
To interpose and act in the concerns of others officiously; to touch or handle.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "meddle" is derived from the Middle English term "medlen", which originated from the Old English word "meddlian". It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic root "*meddjaną", meaning "to mix, deal with, or interpose". This word shares a common ancestry with other Germanic languages, such as the Old High German "mettalōn" and the Middle Dutch "meddelen". Ultimately, "meddle" evolved from the broader meaning of "to mix" into its current sense of interfering or meddling in someone else's affairs.