gaff2

[gaf] /gæf/
noun
1.
harsh treatment or criticism:
All the gaff he took never made him bitter.
Idioms
2.
stand / take the gaff, Slang. to weather hardship or strain; endure patiently.
Origin
1895-1900, Americanism; compare earlier British use: nonsense, humbug, Scots dial.: loud laugh, guffaw; of uncertain origin; cf. guff
British Dictionary definitions for stand the gaff

gaff1

/ɡæf/
noun
1.
(angling) a stiff pole with a stout prong or hook attached for landing large fish
2.
(nautical) a boom hoisted aft of a mast to support a gaffsail
3.
a metal spur fixed to the leg of a gamecock
verb (transitive)
4.
(angling) to hook or land (a fish) with a gaff
5.
(slang) to cheat; hoax
Word Origin
C13: from French gaffe, from Provençal gaf boathook

gaff2

/ɡæf/
noun
1.
(slang) foolish talk; nonsense
2.
(Brit, slang) blow the gaff, to divulge a secret
3.
(slang, mainly US & Canadian) stand the gaff, to endure ridicule, difficulties, etc
Word Origin
C19: of unknown origin

gaff3

/ɡæf/
noun (Brit, slang, archaic)
1.
a person's home, esp a flat
2.
Also called penny-gaff. a cheap or low-class place of entertainment, esp a cheap theatre or music hall in Victorian England
Word Origin
C18: of unknown origin
Word Origin and History for stand the gaff

gaff

n.

"iron hook," c.1300, gaffe, from Old French gaffe "boat hook" (see gaffe). Specifically of the hook on a fishing spear from 1650s.

"loud, rude talk," 1825, from Scottish dialect, perhaps a survival of Old English gafspræc "blasphemous or ribald speech," or from gaff (n.1), and cf. gaffe.

"cheap music hall or theater; place of amusement for the lowest classes," 1850s, British slang, earlier "a fair" (1753), of unknown origin.

Slang definitions & phrases for stand the gaff

stand the gaff

verb phrase

To persist and endure against rigors; take it: I've had at least seven lifetimes on Seventh Avenue, mainly because I've learned to stand the gaff

[1896+; fr gaff, the steel spur attached to the leg of a fighting cock]


gaff

noun

A concealed device or operation that makes it impossible for the customer to win; gimmick: People started looking for a gaff (1893+ Carnival & hawkers)

verb
  1. To cheat; swindle; trick, esp by shortchanging (1893+ Carnival & hawkers)
  2. To use a concealed device, esp for an illusion: The volcano was ''gaffed'' with steampipes (1893+ Carnival & hawkers)
  3. To reprimand; rebuke severely (1950s+ Navy)
Related Terms

blow the gaff, stand the gaff

[fr gaff, ''a hook'']


Idioms and Phrases with stand the gaff

stand the gaff

Take severe criticism or other adversity in stride, as in If you can't stand the gaff, don't try running for office. [ ; late 1800s ]

gaff

see: stand the gaff