gaff
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gaff¹
- /ɡæf/
Sounds like gaffe · Rhymes with -æf
Where it comes from
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.
noun gaffs
-
A tool consisting of a large metal hook with a handle or pole, especially the one used to pull large fish aboard a boat.
When Leonard finally hauls up a cod of seventy-five centimeters, probably seven years old, a typical catch ten years ago, they all joke, "Oh my God, get the gaff!"
Similar: hakapik
- A minor error or faux pas, a gaffe. We politely ignored his gaff.
- A trick or con. The sideshow feat was just a gaff, but the audience was too proud to admit they'd been fooled.
- The upper spar used to control a gaff-rigged sail.
- A type of tight, panty-like underwear worn to hold the penis and testicles tucked backwards and make one's genital region look smooth, as if one had a vulva. This may sound strange to readers who know little about nudes but many female impersonators, or femme-mimics, work au naturel—except for a gaff, a bra, body makeup, jewelry, and a wig (on their head). See! Semi-nude!!
verb gaffs · gaffing · gaffed
- To use a gaff, especially to land a fish. I stepped out and advanced valiantly upon a long-maned bull in the midst of his wives. I was armed with the regular club with which the boat-pullers killed the wounded seals gaffed aboard by the hunters.
- To cheat or hoax.
- To doctor or modify for deceptive purposes. When the operator began losing, he gaffed the wheel and then the patron had no chance to win. With his secret device an experienced grifter could stop the wheel at will on any number.
- To gamble, especially by tossing coins.
- To affix gaffer tape to, or cover with gaffer tape. I gaffed down the sleeves to my lens hoods instead of just relying on the drawstring to hold it in place.
gaff²
- /ɡæf/
Sounds like gaffe · Rhymes with -æf
Where it comes from
Perhaps from Old English gafsprǣc (“buffoonery, scurrility; blasphemous or ribald speech”), from Old English gaf (“base, vile, lewd”) + Old English sprǣc (“language, speech, talk”). Compare Old English gaffetung, gafettung (“scoffing, mockery, derision”).
noun
- Rough or harsh treatment; criticism. "Numbers one, two, and five engines have broken down, sir," he called. "Shall we force the remaining three?" / "We can do nothing else," I bellowed into the transmitter. / "They won't stand the gaff, sir," he returned. / "Can you suggest a better plan?" I asked. / "No, sir," he replied. / "Then give
- An outcry; nonsense.
gaff³
- /ɡæf/
Sounds like gaffe · Rhymes with -æf
Where it comes from
Unknown. Possibly from Etymology 1, via a sense of “a place that will be robbed” in criminal argot; possibly from Etymology 2, via a sense of "cheap theatre"; possibly from Romani gav (“village”) (whence German Kaff (“village”)).
noun gaffs · gaf
- A place of residence. We're going round to Mike's gaff later to watch the footie.
- A disreputable, low-end theatre. Significantly, the setting is a gaff, a low, illegal theatre, and not one of the legitimate East-End stages.
gaff⁴
- /ɡæf/
Sounds like gaffe · Rhymes with -æf
noun
- Clipping of gaffer tape She bought a roll of black gaff to tape down the loose cords.
Gaff⁵
proper noun Gaffs
- A surname.
Translations
Talk about this word "gaff." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/gaff. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026. gaff. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/gaff "gaff." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/gaff.Cite this
@misc{gaff_2026,
title = {gaff},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/gaff},
urldate = {2026-11-06}
}
