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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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Origin of duff

1
First 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

2
First 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.
  1. to steal (cattle).
  2. (formerly) to alter the brand on (stolen cattle).
to cheat someone.

Origin of duff

3
First 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.

Origin of duff

4
First recorded in 1835–45; originally Scots dialect; perhaps metaphorical use of duff2, by association with Scots dowf “decayed, rotten,” deaf “(of soil) unproductive, springy to the tread”; see dowf
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to duff

ass, backside, behind, buns, butt, buttocks, cheeks, derriere, fanny, keister, posterior, seat, gluteus maximus, heinie

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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