DUFF Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

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duff

[ duhf ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Slang.

the buttocks or rump:
If you don't like the way things are, get off your duff and do something about it!

duff

[ duhf ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a stiff flour pudding, boiled or steamed and often flavored with currants, citron, and spices.

duff

[ duhf ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

Slang.

to give a deliberately deceptive appearance to; misrepresent; fake.
British. (in golf ) to misplay (a golf ball), especially to misjudge one's swing so that the club strikes the ground behind the ball before hitting it.
Australian.
1. to steal (cattle).
2. (formerly) to alter the brand on (stolen cattle).
to cheat someone.

duff

⁴

[ duhf ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

organic matter in various stages of decomposition on the floor of the forest.
fine, dry coal, especially anthracite.

duff

/ ��ʌ�� /

noun

a thick flour pudding, often flavoured with currants, citron, etc, and boiled in a cloth bag
plum duff
up the duff slang.
pregnant

duff

/ ��ʌ�� /

verb

slang.
to change the appearance of or give a false appearance to (old or stolen goods); fake
slang.
to steal (cattle), altering the brand
informal.
Alsosclaff golf to bungle (a shot) by hitting the ground behind the ball

adjective

informal.
bad or useless, as by not working out or operating correctly; dud
a duff idea
a duff engine

duff

/ ��ʌ�� /

noun

slang.
the rump or buttocks

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of duff¹

First recorded in 1885–90; expressive word, perhaps akin to doup

Origin of duff²

First recorded in 1830–40; dialectal variant ( Scots, North England) of dough

Origin of duff³

First recorded in 1830–40; back formation from duffer, in the slang senses “something inferior or counterfeit” or “a peddler of inferior goods”

Origin of duff⁴

First recorded in 1835–45; originally Scots dialect; perhaps metaphorical use of duff ², by association with Scots dowf “decayed, rotten,” deaf “(of soil) unproductive, springy to the tread”; dowf

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of duff¹

C19: Northern English variant of dough

Origin of duff²

C19: probably back formation from duffer

Origin of duff³

C20: special use of duff ¹

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

A duff pass from Tommy Freeman drew the first groan from the stands inside 30 seconds.

From

Andrew agreed the Welsh accent is trustworthy, but said he would have spotted Charlotte's duff Welsh accent from a mile off.

From

The supporters knew him and were behind him, knowing what a duff hand he had been dealt.

From

You have to wonder what it would take to get House and Senate Republicans to get off their collective duffs and walk across their respective cloak rooms to smell the proverbial coffee.

From

That’s a political choice, too — the choice by lawmakers unwilling to get off their duffs to bring those costs under control, say, by capping prescription drug prices.

From

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