kerfuffle

Definition

A disorderly outburst, disturbance, commotion, or tumult.

Etymology

Probably from Scots curfuffle, equivalent to ker- + fuffle, or related to Irish cíor thuathail (“confusion, bewilderment”). Similar to modern Welsh cythrwfl (“uproar, trouble, agitation”)

Example Sentences

• "You know all this kerfuffle about Jordan and Peter Andre, and how you don’t know if they’re really splitting up or it’s just an act[…]"
• "There's been a bit of a kerfuffle the past couple days over something Sarah Palin said about Paul Revere."
• "The debate seemed innocuous—a minor kerfuffle, but nothing that couldn’t be resolved and moved on from."