gaff

Meanings

Noun

• A tool consisting of a large metal hook with a handle or pole, especially the one used to pull large fish aboard a boat.
• A minor error or faux pas, a gaffe.
• A trick or con.
• The upper spar used to control a gaff-rigged sail.
• A garment worn to hide the genitals.
• Short form of gaffer tape
• Rough or harsh treatment; criticism.
• An outcry; nonsense.
• A place of residence.

Verb

• To use a gaff, especially to land a fish.
• To cheat or hoax.
• To doctor or modify for deceptive purposes.
• To gamble.
• To affix gaffer tape to, or cover with gaffer tape.

Origin

• From Middle English gaffe, from Old French gaffe, from Old Occitan gaf, derivative of gafar, from Gothic 𐌲𐌰𐍆𐍆- derived from 𐌲𐌹𐌱𐌰𐌽. gaffe.
• 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 gafettung.
• 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")).