Waffle
A waffle is a flat batter cake cooked between two hot plates that are called a waffle iron. It has a distinctive gridlike appearance, the result of raised partitions on the waffle iron.In the United States, waffles are largely a breakfast food, popular enough that a franchised restaurant chain called Waffle House has more than 1,000 restaurants in 24 states. In 2001, it claimed to have sold more than 442 million waffles in the previous 46 years.
A popular variant is the so-called Belgian waffle, which is lighter, taller, and crispier than standard waffles and is often served with ice cream, as a dessert. The Belgian Waffle was introduced into North America during the 1964 New York World's Fair.
This usage dates back to the late 19th century in the United States, and apparently has no relation to the food. Etymologists say the term was derived from the "woof" of a barking dog, although the relationship between that and indecisiveness is not entirely clear. Perhaps it is designed to indicate that the words of a waffler have no more meaning than a dog barking.
Waffling is also the back and forth motion made by water birds like ducks before they land, to lose air from under their wings.
See also
Political Usage
The term has long been used to describe a candidate or politician who is said to easily switch sides on issues to curry political favor - or "flip-flop", in the current derogatory term.
For the Canadian political movement, see The Waffle