The word "riffled through" is spelled using the IPA phonetic transcription as /ˈrɪfl̩d θruː/. The first syllable, "rif," is pronounced with a short "i" sound, followed by a silent "f." The second syllable, "fled," is pronounced with a silent "f" and a long "e" sound. The final syllable "through" is pronounced with a silent "gh" and a long "u" sound. This phrase is usually used to describe a quick search or scan through something.
"Riffled through" is a phrasal verb that describes the act of quickly and casually searching through a collection of objects or a stack of documents, usually in a hasty or hurried manner. It implies a quick, somewhat restless movement of flipping through an assortment of items, often with the intention of finding something specific or of interest.
The term "riffled" derives from the verb "riffle," which originally referred to the movement of shuffling or quickly flipping through the pages of a book. Through common usage, it has evolved to encompass a broader scope of actions beyond just reading material. When someone "riffles through" something, they typically handle the items with a fast and somewhat careless motion, causing them to flip over in a manner resembling the pages of a book being shuffled.
The phrase "riffled through" commonly describes the actions of individuals when they are searching for a specific item, seeking information, or looking for something noteworthy or desired from a disorganized assortment. It can be used in various contexts, such as riffling through a stack of papers on a desk, riffling through clothes in a closet, or riffling through a drawer to find a missing object. Overall, "riffled through" denotes a quick and often purposeful scanning or skimming of items in a somewhat hasty and disorganized manner.
The word "riffle" in the phrase "riffled through" has an interesting etymology. It originated from the verb "ruffle", which has roots in Middle English and Old French. In the 15th century, "ruffle" described the act of making a slight, irregular motion or a rustling sound, often applied to fabric or feathers.
Over time, "ruffle" gained the additional sense of moving or disturbing items quickly or roughly, leading to the development of the word "riffle" as a variant. The term "riffle" is commonly used when referring to flipping quickly through the pages of a book or shuffling through papers or documents in a disorderly manner.