also: なにやかや
expression, adverb taking the 'to' particle, adverb
this and that; one thing or another; various things
Used to refer to a mix of unspecified things, often in casual conversation. Can imply a vague collection of items or topics.
なんやかやと忙しくて、連絡できなかった。
I was busy with this and that and couldn't get in touch.
冷蔵庫に、なんやかや残ってるから、それで夕飯を作ろう。
There are various things left in the fridge, so let's make dinner with them.
A reduplicative phrase combining the interrogative 何 (nani) with the particle や and the demonstrative 彼 (ka), literally 'what and that'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it functions as a colloquial set phrase.