1. To talk or to act foolishly: Mason complained that his co-workers were just being lazy and footling around.
2. To waste time, to trifle, to fool around: Too many people are much too busy footling on their computers and cell phones instead of taking care of more important issues.

The term footle is a verb originally from the nineteenth century which is still appropriate when referring to people doing foolish or insignificant things.

1. A reference to wasting time and behaving in a foolish way: Fred considered his friend a footling amateur when he played basketball.
2. Pertaining to insignificant, worthless, and even irritating behavior and words: Garret's footling contribution when working with his colleagues was considered to be useless and silly.

Karl was very upset with his wife's constant criticisms about him and he told her that she comes with the same footling complaints day after day and week after week.