wile away or while away

”Waiting for my physical at the doctor’s office, I whiled away the time reading the dessert recipes in an old copy of Gourmet magazine.” The expression “while away the time” is the only surviving context for a very old use of “while” as a verb meaning “to spend time.” Many people substitute “wile,” but to wile people is to lure or trick them into doing something—quite different from simply idling away the time. Even though dictionaries accept “wile away” as an alternative, it makes more sense to stick with the original expression.

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Definitions

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• v  spend or pass, as with boredom or in a pleasant manner; of time

News & Articles

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• Man Photographed Wrestling Shark Ashore
  Nantucket in July, the perfect place to wile away the long summer days taking in some sun, flying a kite, building a sand castle or wrestling a shark. Good Morning America reports Elliot Sudal, 24, was captured in an incredible image wrestling a seven-foot shark onto shore on Sunday. He said it is his favorite hobby. “First of all, I’m obsessed with fishing,” Sudal told ABC News. “I’ve caught ...
  July 17, 2013 - The Oklahoman

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• PST: Victor Valdes to MLS? | Possible suitors
  Barcelona’s goalkeeper looks to have an uncertain future at the Nou Camp and while away on Confederations Cup duty with Spain, Valdes confirmed a move to China or the U.S. would interest him in the future.
  June 25, 2013 - NBC NEWS
• In harm’s way and then home again
  FLORENCE, S.C. — Most parents would agree keeping up with children while away at school can be a challenge. Imagine what it would be like keeping up with six sons, all serving in the military at the s
  June 21, 2013 - Lake City News & Post