toff
[tof]
- a stylishly dressed, fashionable person, especially one who is or wants to be considered a member of the upper class.
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Origin of toff
First recorded in 1850–55; perhaps variant of tuft
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
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aggravateexasperateincenseenragerileirritateangerprovokedisturbvexirkgallinfuriateinflameannoyembitterpeeveexciteagitaterankleExamples from the Web for toff
Contemporary Examples
The Daily Pic: In 1782, Joshua Reynolds gave equal attention to a toff and his mount.
Toff, (slang) n: a person of the upper classes; a swell, dandy; a good sort.
In other word, he is a toff among toffs—proving, perhaps, that while Cameron may one day go, the toffs might be here to stay.
Historical Examples
By now the mews had wakened to the fact of the presence of a "toff" in its midst.
The Black BagLouis Joseph Vance
I'm a poor man; I've got no money an' no friends—he 's a toff—he can do wot I can't.
The Silver Box (First Series Plays)John Galsworthy
The letter was from some toff, 'cause it come from Menzie's Hotel.
Australia RevengedBoomerang
Toff, I don't believe you wanted to see your master's son and heir!
Is He Popenjoy?Anthony Trollope
It must be held that the Marquis was justified in getting rid of Mrs. Toff.
Is He Popenjoy?Anthony Trollope
toff
- British slang a rich, well-dressed, or upper-class person, esp a man
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Word Origin
C19: perhaps variant of tuft, nickname for a titled student at Oxford University, wearing a cap with a gold tassel
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for toff
n.
lower-class British slang for "stylish dresser, member of the smart set," 1851, said to be probably an alteration of tuft, formerly an Oxford University term for a nobleman or gentleman-commoner (1755), in reference to the gold ornamental tassel worn on the caps of undergraduates at Oxford and Cambridge whose fathers were peers with votes in the House of Lords.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper