可能来自拟声词，比较 twaddle,瞎扯，闲聊，无聊，说废话。引申词义无聊的摆弄或捻弄小 物品，如转笔。

1. The Government cannot expect graduates to twiddle their thumbs on the dole.

政府不愿意看到毕业生领着救济金却什么也不干。

2. So must we sit back and twiddle our thumbs?

难道我们就只能在这儿无所作为?

3. When we need you help, all you and twiddle you thumbs.

当我们需要你帮助时, 你却按兵不动,亲得无聊.

4. All the critical twiddle - twaddle about style and form is mere impertinence and mostly dull jargon.

所有这些有关文体和体裁的蠢话,只是风马牛不相及的胡扯,多半是枯燥无味、玩弄述语的评论.

5. When we need you help, all you did was sit back and twiddle you thumbs.

在我们需要你帮助的时候, 你却闲坐一旁抚弄你的大拇指.