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View synonyms for duffer
duffer
[ duhf-er ]
noun
- Informal.
- a plodding, clumsy, incompetent person.
- a person inept or inexperienced at a specific sport, as golf.
- Northern and North Midland U.S. an old man, especially a dull or indecisive one.
- Slang.
- anything inferior, counterfeit, or useless.
- a peddler, especially one who sells cheap, flashy goods.
duffer
/ ˈdʌfə /
noun
- informal.a dull or incompetent person
- slang.something worthless
- dialect.a peddler or hawker
- slang.
- a mine that proves unproductive
- a person who steals cattle
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Word History and Origins
Origin of duffer1
1835–45; perhaps Scots dialect duffar, dowfart “dull, stupid person,” derivative of dowf; duffer def 3 perhaps re-formation with duff 3 + -er 1
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Word History and Origins
Origin of duffer1
C19: of uncertain origin
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Example Sentences
He's a kindly old duffer; always doing things for folks and going out of his way to help a neighbor and things like that.
From Project Gutenberg
Duffer is most inelegant (this from Julie in an assumption of stern reproach); I do not see wherever you picked up such a word.
From Project Gutenberg
There is no false modesty in the confidence with which I esteem myself a duffer, at fishing.
From Project Gutenberg
Anyway, you're behaving like a brick to them both, and Ronnie is a deuced old duffer for giving you up.
From Project Gutenberg
Harry: I used to think Santa a pretty jolly old duffer, who made lots of sport for the infants, but I'm ready for a change myself.
From Project Gutenberg
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