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duff
1[ duhf ]
/ dʌf /
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noun Slang.
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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What does "dignity" mean?
Origin of duff
1First recorded in 1885–90; expressive word, perhaps akin to doup
Words nearby duff
dues-paying, duet, due to, duetting, Dufay, duff, duffel, duffel bag, duffel coat, duffer, duffle coat
Other definitions for duff (2 of 4)
duff2
[ duhf ]
/ dʌf /
noun
a stiff flour pudding, boiled or steamed and often flavored with currants, citron, and spices.
Origin of duff
2First recorded in 1830–40; dialectal variant (Scots, North England) of dough
Other definitions for duff (3 of 4)
duff3
[ duhf ]
/ dʌf /
verb (used with object) Slang.
to give a deliberately deceptive appearance to; misrepresent; fake.
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.
Australian.
- to steal (cattle).
- (formerly) to alter the brand on (stolen cattle).
to cheat someone.
Origin of duff
3First recorded in 1830–40; back formation from duffer, in the slang senses “something inferior or counterfeit” or “a peddler of inferior goods”
Other definitions for duff (4 of 4)
duff4
[ duhf ]
/ dʌf /
noun
organic matter in various stages of decomposition on the floor of the forest.
fine, dry coal, especially anthracite.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use duff in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for duff (1 of 3)
duff1
/ (dʌf) /
noun
a thick flour pudding, often flavoured with currants, citron, etc, and boiled in a cloth bagplum duff
up the duff slang pregnant
Word Origin for duff
C19: Northern English variant of dough
British Dictionary definitions for duff (2 of 3)
duff2
/ (dʌf) /
verb (tr)
slang to change the appearance of or give a false appearance to (old or stolen goods); fake
Australian slang to steal (cattle), altering the brand
Also: sclaff golf informal to bungle (a shot) by hitting the ground behind the ball
adjective
British informal bad or useless, as by not working out or operating correctly; duda duff idea; a duff engine
See also duff up
Word Origin for duff
C19: probably back formation from duffer
British Dictionary definitions for duff (3 of 3)
duff3
/ (dʌf) /
noun
slang the rump or buttocks
Word Origin for duff
C20: special use of duff 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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