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

He still a path to the right green after taking relief, only to look like a duffer down at the local muni when he chunked a wedge into the water.

From Seattle Times

Under a new proposal aimed at reining in distance, the game’s best golfers might soon be forced to use different equipment than weekend duffers and other amateur players.

From Washington Post

Rogue waves chased duffers off the oceanside 14th hole at Monterey Peninsula Golf Club, which sits just behind Pebble.

From Washington Post

Can you explain the basics of how a catch share program works and how it duffers from other ways of managing fisheries?

From Salon

When asked why he used this salutation, he said, “In life we are all masters,” countering a past champion’s chestnut, “In life we are all duffers.”

From Literature