gaff

gaff¹ Definition

gaff (gaf)

noun

a large, strong hook on a pole, or a barbed spear, used in landing large fish
1. a sharp metal spur fastened to the leg of a gamecock
2. any of the steel points on a lineman's climbing iron
1. a spar or pole extending from the after side of a mast and supporting a fore-and-aft sail
2. U.S. Navy a similarly located spar on the mainmast, from which the ensign is flown when a ship is underway
Slang any secret device for cheating
Etymology: earlier in sense of “a fair”: ? because visitors were gaffed there
Brit., Slang a cheap theater, dance hall, etc.

Etymology: ME gaffe < OFr < OProv gaf or Sp gafa < Goth gafah, a catch < ga-, intens. + fahan, to catch, akin to fang

transitive verb

gaff¹ Idioms

stand the gaff

☆

Slang to bear up well under difficulties, punishment, ridicule, etc.; be game

gaff² Definition

gaff (gaf)

noun

Brit., Slang foolish talk; nonsense

Etymology: prob. altered < earlier gab, mockery < ME, deceit: see gab

gaff² Idioms

blow the gaff

to reveal a secret

gaff Usage Examples

Object

card: From learning how to make Acrobatic cards to all the famous gaffed cards you will have it ALL!
deck: Comes complete with gaffed card deck and detailed instructions on how to perform this trick.

Converse of object

blow: Not seen yet by anyone except our tame madman Garth, we blow the gaff!
make: The next page deals with what tools are needed to make the gaff.
peak: But from the point of view of the fittings, as you peak the gaff up two things happen.

Adjective modifier

new: Last week he invited me round his new gaff for a long awaited reprise.
special: But a special gaff allows the performer to always take the gaffed match!
usual: Everyone to the usual gaff on Tuesday, 15th August.
traditional: We operate three traditional, gaff rigged sailing vessels, including Golden Vanity, a 53 ' Gaff Cutter.
simple: Syd Segal has taken simple gaffs, yet squeezes every ounce of magical juice out of them for your spectator's amazement.
late: It suggests that he might be in even hotter water than his latest gaff has dropped him into.

Modifies a noun

cutter: On a gaff cutter or sloop, there is a need to balance the large area of the main by a corresponding area forward.
rig: The class rules are drawn up with the express intention of developing gaff rig.
jaw: Removal of the gaff jaws showed more of the split.
saddle: Even at that too short a throat purchase can give you all sorts of funny leads on the gaff saddle.
sail: Her long bowsprit and low ketch rig with gaff sails show that at times she could carry a large area of canvas.
yard: The wedges were easily made from the offcut of Sitka Spruce left over from making the gaff yard itself.

Adjective complement

prone: No, too inexperienced and too gaff prone, he has a history of making unfortunate racially motivated remarks to newspapers.

Noun used with modifier

penny: A look at the nightlife of the East End from a German dancehall to a " penny gaff " in Whitechapel.
foot: Voyages last between 2 and 7 days aboard our 76 foot gaff rigged ketch, Greater Manchester Challenge.

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