Kerfuffle

1. A disturbance or fuss. 2. A disagreement or commotion, especially one over a matter of little importance.

From the Scots carfuffle, from car- (probably from Scottish Gaelic cearr, "wrong") and fuffle, "to throw into disorder"; recorded in English from the early 19th century.

Usage Examples

The seating chart caused a kerfuffle at the reception.
A kerfuffle over the agenda delayed the council meeting by an hour.
The campaign tried to keep the kerfuffle out of the news.

From the Show

Pam Long used the word on the October 28, 2026, broadcast for the back-and-forth between the We the People Gubernatorial Forum’s organizers and Victor Marx’s campaign before Marx declined to take part. STARRS had invited all seven candidates for governor on the ballot, and five accepted.