Link Centre Dictionary

gaff

UK/ɡæf/ US/ˈɡæf/ uncommon dated informal obsolete slang uk

noun

1.
2.

an iron hook with a handle; used for landing large fish

Origin

From Middle English gaffe, from Old French gaffe, from Old Occitan gaf (“hook”), derivative of gafar (“to seize”), from 𐌲𐌹𐌱𐌰𐌽 (giban, “to give”). Doublet of gaffe. Etymology 1, noun sense 5 apparently derives from the idea that the garment tricks or deceives others about the wearer's genitalia.

Phrases

  • all over the gaff
  • blow the gaff
  • gaff off
  • gaff rig
  • gaff sail
  • gaff tape
  • Gaff Topsail
  • monkey gaff
  • stand the gaff
  • tip the gaff

Related words

Word family

Broader terms

Parts

WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.