duff

¹ American  

[duhf] / dʌf /

noun

Slang.

1. the buttocks or rump.

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

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duff ² American  

[duhf] / dʌf /

noun

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

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duff ³ American  

[duhf] / dʌf /

verb (used with object)

Slang.

1. to give a deliberately deceptive appearance to; misrepresent; fake.

2. 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.

3. Australian.

   1. to steal (cattle).

   2. (formerly) to alter the brand on (stolen cattle).

4. to cheat someone.

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duff ⁴ American  

[duhf] / dʌf /

noun

1. organic matter in various stages of decomposition on the floor of the forest.

2. fine, dry coal, especially anthracite.

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duff ¹ British  

/ dʌf /

verb

1. slang  to change the appearance of or give a false appearance to (old or stolen goods); fake

2. slang  to steal (cattle), altering the brand

3. Also: sclaff.  informal  golf to bungle (a shot) by hitting the ground behind the ball

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adjective

1. informal  bad or useless, as by not working out or operating correctly; dud

   a duff idea

   a duff engine

duff ² British  

/ dʌf /

noun

1. a thick flour pudding, often flavoured with currants, citron, etc, and boiled in a cloth bag

   plum duff

2. slang  pregnant

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duff ³ British  

/ dʌf /

noun

1. slang  the rump or buttocks

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Etymology

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

Example Sentences

At a parlous 51-3 England were vulnerable, but Bethell and Brook initially appeared assured only for things to unravel via a duff pull shot and slash to backward point on 18 and 34 respectively.

From BBC

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

From BBC

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

From BBC

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

From BBC

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 Salon