Dr Johnson isn't infallible. And you would never whilst away the time, but you would certainly while away the time. I've seen whiles used in a letter in the late 1780's so it may have been out of use in the metropolis, but not everywhere. Whiles can be translated as 'during the meanwhile' and actually though I've never used it, it's delightfuly elegant. I can see it being used by an older country person:
"The wedding party set off for the church. Whiles, Maggie and me set to preparing the wedding breakfast."
According to Chambers dictionary, the separation between while and whilst nowadays is more pronounced in Scotland. It was certaily separated in England when I was at school, though I wonder if the confusion of what had been separate words may have begun with Dr Johnson... that's an interesting whimsy
"The wedding party set off for the church. Whiles, Maggie and me set to preparing the wedding breakfast."
According to Chambers dictionary, the separation between while and whilst nowadays is more pronounced in Scotland. It was certaily separated in England when I was at school, though I wonder if the confusion of what had been separate words may have begun with Dr Johnson... that's an interesting whimsy