duff

¹

[ duhf ]

noun

, Slang.

1. the buttocks or rump:

   If you don't like the way things are, get off your duff and do something about it!

duff

²

[ duhf ]

noun

1. a stiff flour pudding, boiled or steamed and often flavored with currants, citron, and spices.

duff

³

[ duhf ]

verb (used with object)

, Slang.

1. to give a deliberately deceptive appearance to; misrepresent; fake.
2. British. (in golf ) to misplay (a golf ball), especially to misjudge one's swing so that the club strikes the ground behind the ball before hitting it.
3. Australian.
   1. to steal (cattle).
   2. (formerly) to alter the brand on (stolen cattle).
4. to cheat someone.

duff

⁴

[ duhf ]

noun

1. organic matter in various stages of decomposition on the floor of the forest.
2. fine, dry coal, especially anthracite.

duff

¹

/ dʌf /

verb

1. slang.
   to change the appearance of or give a false appearance to (old or stolen goods); fake
2. slang.
   to steal (cattle), altering the brand
3. informal.
   Alsosclaff golf to bungle (a shot) by hitting the ground behind the ball

adjective

1. informal.
   bad or useless, as by not working out or operating correctly; dud

   a duff idea

   a duff engine

duff

²

/ dʌf /

noun

1. a thick flour pudding, often flavoured with currants, citron, etc, and boiled in a cloth bag

   plum duff

2. up the duff slang.
   pregnant

duff

³

/ dʌf /

noun

1. slang.
   the rump or buttocks

Word History and Origins

Origin of duff¹

First recorded in 1885–90; expressive word, perhaps akin to doup

Origin of duff²

First recorded in 1830–40; dialectal variant ( Scots, North England) of dough

Origin of duff³

First recorded in 1830–40; back formation from duffer, in the slang senses “something inferior or counterfeit” or “a peddler of inferior goods”

Origin of duff⁴

First recorded in 1835–45; originally Scots dialect; perhaps metaphorical use of duff ², by association with Scots dowf “decayed, rotten,” deaf “(of soil) unproductive, springy to the tread”; dowf

Word History and Origins

Origin of duff¹

C19: probably back formation from duffer

Origin of duff²

C19: Northern English variant of dough

Origin of duff³

C20: special use of duff ¹

Example Sentences

Forty years and two months ago, Duff McKagan first arrived in Los Angeles as a fresh-faced punk rocker with ambitions of taking over the world.

From Los Angeles Times

The supporters knew him and were behind him, knowing what a duff hand he had been dealt.

From BBC

But, as Spencer contends in “Disney High,” it was a challenge to mobilize all the disparate Disney departments to capitalize on the show and Duff’s appeal.

From Los Angeles Times

These aforementioned stars whom Disney Channel built its brand around also signpost the network’s popularity peak in the 2000s that Spencer charts in “Disney High,” beginning with Duff and Raven-Symoné, followed by Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato, where “Disney High” abruptly and fittingly ends.

From Los Angeles Times

It wasn’t until “Lizzie McGuire,” which starred Hilary Duff in the title role, that network executives realized what they had on their hands.

From Los Angeles Times