Wtf is a "fuddle"

[AdalbertWafflin]

Exactly as the title says...
I started a new job Monday, and tomorrow there is an office "fuddle" to celebrate their end of year figures (yeah.. slightly random year end 🤷‍♀️). I'm extremely introverted and socially awkward at the best of times, don't make friends easily and small talk with people I don't really know is my idea of hell. Also, do I need to take anything? I have honestly no how to be a normal person in these situation. North Yorkshire border, in case it is a regional thing?

They fuddle in Notts, too.

It's a sort of communal lunch eating exercise, where you share the lunches rather than eating your own! Also known as a 'bring and share'.

A fuddle is where the women in the office get an extra job to do - co-ordinating and planning and putting all the stuff together and then tidying up after 'networking' as the entitled men people don't know how to use a bin.

"make" a couple of quiches.....isn't that what Sainsbury's is for?🤣🤣

You pick something up at the shop on the way (if I don’t want to make something, it’s good to bring things like Mini Rolls that are individually wrapped so when there’s too much food (which there always is) they can get left on the side and people can eat them on other days).

You go, grab a plate, get some food, find something nice and homemade and say “mmm, this quiche is nice, who made this?” and someone will say “it’s Janice’s famous quiche!” and then you know who Janice is and something about her, then you say “I just grabbed something, you wouldn’t want my baking” (even if it’s not true) and someone else says “ooh me neither, I can’t even switch my oven on” and either you’re in a conversation or you can just eat and call it good.

I only heard the term when I moved to Derbyshire. I could work it out from context though.

Not in my last job
The men did their bit too.

I miss fuddles

I always thought it meant a bit of a mess - fudged/muddle. or Fxcking muddle, whichever.

Exactly this. I thought it was a fucking muddle too, a bit more than just a muddle.

Ha. I went to an engagement party once. It was a low-key, village hall affair. The invitations stated 'we'll provide the drinks, please bring a plate'. At least 5 people turned up with an empty China plate in their hand. They literally thought they just had to bring something to eat off

I didn't realise fuddle had spread as far as Yorkshire, it's definitely a Notts/Derby word - along with tab hanging and Nebbeh

Pot Luck
Jacob's Join
Fuddle

I've learned some new vocabulary today. We'd just have a bring and share buffet where I'm from and I would be completely clueless if I'd been invited to any of the above!

A do!

As a fellow introvert who has worked in Yorkshire offices and been subjected to Fuddles... Yep, it's Food + Huddle. Some people will go all out and make home made goodies (with varying success), some people will pop to the supermarket and quickly buy a few snacks, and some people will forget (or tactfully forget) to bring anything.

Being new, a few people might introduce themselves to you and ask you how you're getting on. If there's an awkward silence just say how good/bad the weather is, or ask people if they have any plans for the weekend. Then after the first five minutes, once you're not actively engaged in conversation, slink back to your desk with the food!

An office fuddle is a nice thing ime - there’s no pressure, it’s not formal, you don’t have to join in, you don’t have to bring anything. You can slink off at will. Honestly, long live the fuddle in comparison to most of the things you have to do in a job.

Where I live someone might say “I’m in a bit of a fuddle”, meaning fucking muddle. I’ve never heard it used another way before.

Don’t make food for a fuddle. It’s meant to be low effort!! We have always used this term (Nottinghamshire/Nursing)