duffer

[duhf-er]

noun

1. Informal.

   1. a plodding, clumsy, incompetent person.

   2. a person inept or inexperienced at a specific sport, as golf.

2. Northern and North Midland U.S.,  an old man, especially a dull or indecisive one.

3. Slang.

   1. anything inferior, counterfeit, or useless.

   2. a peddler, especially one who sells cheap, flashy goods.

duffer

/ ˈdʌfə /

noun

1. informal,  a dull or incompetent person

2. slang,  something worthless

3. dialect,  a peddler or hawker

4. slang

   1. a mine that proves unproductive

   2. a person who steals cattle

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of duffer¹

C19: of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

The jeers were meant to pressure the European duffers to the point where they couldn’t perform.

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He still a path to the right green after taking relief, only to look like a duffer down at the local muni when he chunked a wedge into the water.

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Under a new proposal aimed at reining in distance, the game’s best golfers might soon be forced to use different equipment than weekend duffers and other amateur players.

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Rogue waves chased duffers off the oceanside 14th hole at Monterey Peninsula Golf Club, which sits just behind Pebble.

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Can you explain the basics of how a catch share program works and how it duffers from other ways of managing fisheries?

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