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duff1

[duhf]
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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!
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Origin of duff1

First recorded in 1885–90; expressive word, perhaps akin to doup

duff2

[duhf]
noun
  1. a stiff flour pudding, boiled or steamed and often flavored with currants, citron, and spices.
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Origin of duff2

1830–40; dialectal variant (Scots, N England) of dough

duff3

[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.
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Origin of duff3

1830–40; back formation from duffer, in the slang senses “something inferior or counterfeit” or “a peddler of inferior goods”

duff4

[duhf]
noun
  1. organic matter in various stages of decomposition on the floor of the forest.
  2. fine, dry coal, especially anthracite.
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Origin of duff4

1835–45; orig. Scots dial.; perhaps metaphorical use of duff2, by association with Scots dowf decayed, rotten (see dowf), deaf (of soil) unproductive, springy to the tread
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for duff

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • It is a vulgar crime, Duff; it would be very hard to stoop to it.

    Barrington

    Charles James Lever

  • I begin to regret now, Duff, that I did n't take your advice.

    Barrington

    Charles James Lever

  • Don't boast of it, Duff; even notoriety is not always a cheap luxury.

    Barrington

    Charles James Lever

  • The blame was thrown upon "Duff" Armstrong, who was arrested.

  • The other two volumes by Mr. Duff are also of the greatest assistance.

British Dictionary definitions for duff

duff1

noun
  1. a thick flour pudding, often flavoured with currants, citron, etc, and boiled in a cloth bagplum duff
  2. up the duff slang pregnant
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Word Origin

C19: Northern English variant of dough

duff2

verb (tr)
  1. slang to change the appearance of or give a false appearance to (old or stolen goods); fake
  2. Australian slang to steal (cattle), altering the brand
  3. Also: sclaff golf informal to bungle (a shot) by hitting the ground behind the ball
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adjective
  1. British informal bad or useless, as by not working out or operating correctly; duda duff idea; a duff engine
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See also duff up

Word Origin

C19: probably back formation from duffer

duff3

noun
  1. slang the rump or buttocks
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Word Origin

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

Word Origin and History for duff

n.

"buttocks, rump," 1830s, of unknown origin.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper