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

Matt and Ross Duffer, the twin creators and showrunners of the Netflix series, said it was Wolfhard’s “authenticity” that won him the role.

From Washington Post

He's a kindly old duffer; always doing things for folks and going out of his way to help a neighbor and things like that.

From Project Gutenberg

Duffer is most inelegant (this from Julie in an assumption of stern reproach); I do not see wherever you picked up such a word.

From Project Gutenberg

There is no false modesty in the confidence with which I esteem myself a duffer, at fishing.

From Project Gutenberg

Anyway, you're behaving like a brick to them both, and Ronnie is a deuced old duffer for giving you up.

From Project Gutenberg

Harry: I used to think Santa a pretty jolly old duffer, who made lots of sport for the infants, but I'm ready for a change myself.

From Project Gutenberg