écrivailler

Senses

1. 1.

   to scribble; to write badly or carelessly

   to write in a hasty, mediocre, or amateurish manner

2. 2.

   to write constantly or excessively

   to write prolifically without quality or purpose

Examples

• "Il écrivaille des articles sans vérifier ses faits."

  He scribbles out articles without checking his facts.

• "Elle passe son temps à écrivailler plutôt qu'à rédiger de vrais articles."

  She spends her time scribbling rather than writing real articles.

• "Les journalistes qui écrivaillent nuisent à la crédibilité de la presse."

  Journalists who write carelessly damage the credibility of the press.

Usage

A pejorative diminutive verb (from *écrire*) commonly used to criticize someone's writing as rushed, shallow, or of poor quality. Often implies both lack of care and lack of talent. Register: familiar to literary.