I mean to say, he could sit in the boat 'ouse and twiddle 'is thumbs at the elements, sir.
"A Fool and His Money"
George Barr McCutcheon
I had a daughter once, for a few weeks, long enough to make me strangely fond of the responsibilities of a father; and then Karslake took her away, leaving me nothing to do with my life but twiddle futile thumbs and contemplate the approach of middle age.
"Alias The Lone Wolf"
Louis Joseph Vance
His head drooped lower-he began to twiddle the fob on his watch chain.
"Baby Mine"
Margaret Mayo