duff

¹

[ duhf ]

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!

duff

²

[ duhf ]

noun

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

duff

³

[ duhf ]

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.

duff

⁴

[ duhf ]

noun

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

duff

¹

/ dʌf /

noun

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

   plum duff

2. up the duff slang.
   up the duff pregnant

duff

²

/ 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. informal.
   Alsosclaff golf to bungle (a shot) by hitting the ground behind the ball

adjective

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

   a duff engine

   a duff idea

duff

³

/ dʌf /

noun

1. slang.
   the rump or buttocks

Word 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

Word 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

Example Sentences

An op-ed today by regular Press TV contributor Gordon Duff leaps to Paul's defense.

From The Daily Beast

His roster included Taylor Swift, Hilary Duff, Paris Hilton, and country star Dwight Yoakam.

From The Daily Beast

Like many of the competitors, neither she nor Duff is concerned about winning, only with finishing.

From The Daily Beast

Even B-list celebrities like Hilary Duff can command more than six figures, as she did for the wedding photos she sold to OK!

From The Daily Beast

Moderated By: Charlie Rose, Executive Editor and Anchor, Charlie Rose • Amy Chua, John M. Duff, Jr.

From The Daily Beast

That crack down in the back lane at Edmonton, Blathers, said Mr. Duff, assisting his colleagues memory.

From Project Gutenberg

Father Duff couldn't have stumbled on a more unhappy example for himself.

From Project Gutenberg

"I can learn, I reckon," said Ralph so heartily that Mr. Duff took a second look at the boy, then smiled to himself.

From Project Gutenberg

Ralph walked back to where Mr. Duff was standing at the binnacle, conning the ship.

From Project Gutenberg

At this Mr. Duff laughed outright, and the sailors nudged each other as if highly tickled.

From Project Gutenberg