hurkle-durkle

1. To remain in bed or lounge around after it is time to get up or begin working.

   synonyms:linger in bedlounge

2. The state or practice of lying about lazily, especially in bed.

   synonyms:idlenesslaziness

A Scots expression formed through rhyming reduplication from the older Scots word "hurkle," meaning to crouch, huddle or draw the body together. Hurkle-durkle was documented in Fife, Scotland, by lexicographer John Jamieson in 1825, although the expression may have been in local use earlier.

Hurkle-durkle is an informal, playful expression most often used when talking about leisurely mornings, sleeping late or enjoying extra time in bed. It is a historical Scots term rather than a formal, legal, medical or scientific term.

The expression is uncommon in everyday conversation and was historically regional, although renewed interest in unusual words and online discussions has introduced it to a wider audience.

With no appointments on Saturday morning, Maya decided to hurkle-durkle beneath her warm blankets.

I meant to get up at seven, but a brief hurkle-durkle turned into an extra hour in bed.

The rain tapping against the window gave us the perfect excuse to hurkle-durkle before breakfast.

Hurkle-durkle is the delightfully bouncy Scots expression for staying in bed when you really ought to be up. It developed from "hurkle," an older word associated with crouching or huddling, and its rhyming second half gives it an appropriately playful sound. The expression was recorded in a Scottish dictionary in 1825 and was particularly associated with Fife. Although it remains uncommon, it has found a new audience among people who appreciate cozy mornings and wonderfully specific old words. Just remember that a five-minute hurkle-durkle can easily become an hour.