gaff

¹ American  

[gaf] / gæf /

noun

1. an iron hook with a handle for landing large fish.

2. the spur on a climbing iron, especially as used by telephone linemen.

3. Nautical. a spar rising aft from a mast to support the head of a quadrilateral fore-and-aft sail gaff sail, orgaff-headed sail.

4. a metal spur for a gamecock.

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verb (used with object)

1. to hook or land (a fish) with a gaff.

gaff ² American  

[gaf] / gæf /

noun

Slang.

1. harsh treatment or criticism (usually used in the phrasestand/take the gaff ).

   All the gaff he took never made him bitter.

   You shouldn't be in show biz if you can't stand the gaff.

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gaff ³ American  

[gaf] / gæf /

verb (used with object)

1. Slang. to cheat; fleece.

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verb (used without object)

1. British Slang. to gamble, especially to indulge in petty gambling, as to toss coins.

gaff ¹ British  

/ ɡæf /

noun

1. angling a stiff pole with a stout prong or hook attached for landing large fish

2. nautical a boom hoisted aft of a mast to support a gaffsail

3. a metal spur fixed to the leg of a gamecock

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verb

1. angling to hook or land (a fish) with a gaff

2. slang to cheat; hoax

gaff ² British  

/ ɡæf /

noun

1. slang foolish talk; nonsense

2. slang to divulge a secret

3. slang to endure ridicule, difficulties, etc

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gaff ³ British  

/ ɡæf /

noun

1. a person's home, esp a flat

2. Also called: penny-gaff.  a cheap or low-class place of entertainment, esp a cheap theatre or music hall in Victorian England

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gaff Idioms  

1. see stand the gaff.

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Etymology

Origin of gaff¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, from Middle French gaffe, gaff, from Provençal gaf “hook, gaff,” noun derivative of gafar “to seize” (compare Medieval Latin gaffare ), probably from unattested Germanic (Visigothic) gaff-, perhaps derivative from base of Gothic giban “to give”; give

Origin of gaff²

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900; of uncertain origin; compare earlier British use, “nonsense, humbug,” Scots dialect, “loud laugh, guffaw”; guff

Origin of gaff³

First recorded in 1745–55; origin uncertain

Explanation

A gaff is a long pole with a barbed hook on one end. Large fish that are too heavy to be pulled in on a line are sometimes fished with a gaff. Think of a gaff as a simpler version of a harpoon. But rather than shooting or throwing a gaff, as is done with a harpoon, a fisherman uses a gaff as a tool to hook a huge fish and lug it onto a boat. Be careful not to make the gaffe of using gaff to mean gaffe, "an embarrassing mistake." They sound alike, but have totally different meanings!

Example Sentences

Also: Wendy’s “surge pricing” gaff had customers crying foul and Apple’s electric car has been scrapped.

From Slate • Mar. 2, 2024

Ito rushed in with the gaff, helping to clear his way through the crowd.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 26, 2022

Kyle Schwarber’s base knock in the fifth broke up Woodruff’s no-hit bid, although the lineup couldn’t make up for Scherzer’s first-inning gaff.

From Washington Times • May 30, 2021

Fifty-three minutes later, and the fishermen had the tuna close enough to the boat to sink a gaff in it.

From Fox News • Feb. 19, 2020

Kabuo reached down and took his gaff in his hand.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson

Related Words

• blunder
• breach
• crime
• error
• failing
• failure
• fault
• indiscretion
• miscue
• negligence
• offense
• omission
• oversight
• sin
• transgression
• violation