boffin

[bof-in] /ˈbɒf ɪn/
noun, British Slang.
1.
a scientist or technical expert.
Origin
1940-45; origin uncertain
British Dictionary definitions for boffin

boffin

/ˈbɒfɪn/
noun
1.
(Brit, informal) a scientist, esp one carrying out military research
2.
a person who has extensive skill or knowledge in a particular field: a Treasury boffin
3.
(informal) someone who is considered to be very clever, often to the exclusion of all non-academic interests
Word Origin
C20: of uncertain origin
Word Origin and History for boffin
n.

"person engaged in innovative research," especially in aviation, 1945; earlier "elderly naval officer" (1941), probably from one of the "Mr. Boffins" of English literature (e.g. "Our Mutual Friend").

Slang definitions & phrases for boffin

boffin

noun

An expert, esp in a scientific or technical field: Computer boffins play a game called hunt the wumpus

[WWII British aviators; origin unknown; conceivably fr a humorous comparison between the laboratories and shops of experts and the enormous trash heaps of Mr and Mrs Boffin in Dickens's Our Mutual Friend]