boffin

American  

[bof-in] / ˈbɒf ɪn /

noun

British Slang.

1. a scientist or technical expert.

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boffin British  

/ ˈbɒfɪn /

noun

1. informal a scientist, esp one carrying out military research

2. a person who has extensive skill or knowledge in a particular field

   a Treasury boffin

3. informal someone who is considered to be very clever, often to the exclusion of all non-academic interests

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Etymology

Origin of boffin

First recorded in 1940–45; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

It is not a number randomly picked by statistics boffins, but by Premier League history.

From BBC

The IMF's boffins say they can start to see the impact from space as satellites track fewer, increasingly empty ships leaving China's ports.

From BBC

In that reused Red Box will be a boffin’s Budget.

From BBC

The boffins got to work into the night.

From BBC

“It fits into this idea that a group of boffins with a bit of wool and some yards of wire and some bits and bobs can win the war,” he said.

From Seattle Times