Definition of hang about

The origins of the phrase "hang about" can be traced back to the early 20th century in British English. It is believed to have originated from the expression "hang around," which was used in the United States at the time. The phrase "hang around" was popularized in the United States during the 1920s and 1930s, as it became associated with the actions of young people who loitered on street corners or in public places. This expression has since become part of the English language, and it has evolved into various forms in different dialects of English. In British English, "hang around" was adapted as "hang about" due to the influence of the phonetic differences between American and British pronunciation. The verb "hang" in British English has a more colloquial and informal connotation than the American equivalent "stand," and this is reflected in the use of "hang about" to describe the act of loitering or waiting around for prolonged periods of time. The phrase "hang about" has since gained widespread usage in British English and is commonly used to describe a person's reluctance to leave or move on from a particular location or situation. It is also used to indicate a temporary delay in an event or action, as in the expression "I'm sorry, but we'll have to hang about for a few minutes while we fix the equipment." Today, "hang about" is recognized as a unique feature of British English and is commonly used in both spoken and written forms of the language.