Definitions by Shelleys

phaffing 

Activity that looks (to the casual observer) like work (or another task) but is not really all that productive, and in fact may be time wasting.

Is usually used this way: "phaffing around"

Eg "I'm just phaffing around, really."
or
"He looks busy but he's just phaffing around"

phaffing by Shelleys August 28, 2006