Duff/Duffer

Origin of: Duff/Duffer

Duff/Duffer

Since the mid-18th century, a duffer is one who peddles sham or fake merchandise. From this, the adjective duff took on the meaning of something that was no good. By the early 19th century, duffer also became colloquial for a no-good, dull, stupid person. Duff as a verb as in to duff a shot in golf, for example, dates from the late 19th century. Duff as in plum duff is an archaic pronunciation from the north of England for dough (pronounced like tough) and a duff is a flour pudding made from dough that is boiled in a bag. This latter usage dates from the mid-19th century.