gaffer

[ gaf-er ]

noun

1. the chief electrician on the set of a movie or television show.
2. Informal. an old man.
3. British Informal.
   1. a boss, supervisor, or manager.
   2. a foreman or overseer in charge of a group of physical laborers:

      a factory gaffer.

   3. the coach or manager of a sports team.
4. Glassmaking. a master glassblower responsible for shaping glassware.

gaffer

/ ˈɡæfə /

noun

1. See gammer
   an old man, esp one living in the country: often used affectionately or patronizingly Compare gammer
2. informal.
   a boss, foreman, or owner of a factory, mine, etc
3. the senior electrician on a television or film set

Word History and Origins

Origin of gaffer¹

First recorded in 1565–75; contraction of godfather

Word History and Origins

Origin of gaffer¹

C16: alteration of godfather

Example Sentences

Sometimes, when your rubber isn’t street legal and your headlights have been x-ed out with gaffer tape, a trailer becomes a necessity, as does a vehicle to pull that trailer.

From Popular-Science

One producer who works on digital and branded videos said they normally need to contact at most “a couple” people when hiring a freelance gaffer for a shoot.

From Digiday

So you ken what it means, when a gaffer carries on like that, an' the man is saft enough as weel as the woman being willin'.

From Project Gutenberg

"I have no time for gossiping," mumbled Gaffer Grebe, with his mouth full of building material.

From Project Gutenberg

Gaffer; an old English word, but with a peculiar application in Ireland, where it means a boy, a young chap.

From Project Gutenberg

I came to Gaffer and Grannie Cressidge as they smiled at each other when eating the apples and bread.

From Project Gutenberg

Outside a shuttered pub a bunch of loiterers listen to a tale which their brokensnouted gaffer rasps out with raucous humour.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• elder
• founder
• grandfather
• ruler