How Do You Spell DUFF?

Pronunciation: [dˈʌf] (IPA)

The word "duff" is spelled with a double F at the end, despite only being pronounced with one. Its IPA phonetic transcription is /dʌf/. This spelling anomaly is due to the origin of the word, which comes from the Old Norse word "döggva", meaning "to become moist". As the word evolved into English, the double F spelling remained, despite the pronunciation changing over time. The word "duff" can refer to a variety of things, from a type of flour to a golfing term for a bad shot.

DUFF Meaning and Definition

  1. Duff is a word with various meanings and can be used as a noun, verb, or adjective. As a noun, it refers to flour that has become compacted and lumpy, typically due to moisture or poor storage. In culinary terms, duff can also denote a type of pudding or sweet pastry dish. Additionally, in certain regions, particularly in British slang, it is a colloquial term for food or to describe something as a failure or disappointment.

    When used as a verb, duff generally signifies the act of hitting or striking something or someone clumsily. It can also describe someone stumbling or falling, particularly due to poor coordination or balance. In this context, it may also imply a sense of inadequacy or incompetence. As an adjective, duff characterizes something as worthless, useless, or of poor quality. It can also describe a person as being weak or ineffective.

    Beyond these, "duff" also has some additional domain-specific meanings. In golfing terminology, it refers to a poorly executed shot. In mining or geology, it can refer to a low-quality coal or ore. Additionally, in slang or derogatory usage, it can be used as a substitute for an expletive, typically referring to a person as a fool or an idiot.

    Overall, the word "duff" holds a range of definitions depending on the context in which it is used, encompassing notions of poor quality, clumsiness, failure, disappointment, and worthlessness.

Common Misspellings for DUFF

Etymology of DUFF

The word "duff" has multiple origins and can be traced back to various sources. Here are some possible etymologies of "duff":

1. Scottish origin: In Scottish dialects, the word "duff" means "dough". It comes from the Old English word "dof", which also referred to dough or a mixture of flour and water. The Scottish connection of "duff" has influenced its usage in relation to certain food items, particularly puddings.

2. British naval slang: "Duff" entered naval slang in the 17th century, originating from the term "duffel", which meant a coarse woolen cloth used for sailor's clothing. Over time, "duff" became associated with poor quality or counterfeit goods, and later extended to refer to something useless or of low quality.

3. American slang: In American slang, "duff" has a few different meanings.

Idioms with the word DUFF

  • up the duff The idiom "up the duff" is a colloquial expression used in British and Australian English to describe a woman who is pregnant. It is a lighthearted or sometimes humorous way of referring to someone's condition of being with child or expecting a baby.
  • be up the duff The idiom "be up the duff" is colloquial British slang and is used to describe someone, typically a woman, who is pregnant. It is considered informal and somewhat vulgar.

Similar spelling words for DUFF

Conjugate verb Duff

CONDITIONAL

I would duff
we would duff
you would duff
he/she/it would duff
they would duff

FUTURE

I will duff
we will duff
you will duff
he/she/it will duff
they will duff

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have duffed
we will have duffed
you will have duffed
he/she/it will have duffed
they will have duffed

PAST

I duffed
we duffed
you duffed
he/she/it duffed
they duffed

PAST PERFECT

I had duffed
we had duffed
you had duffed
he/she/it had duffed
they had duffed

PRESENT

I duff
we duff
you duff
he/she/it duffs
they duff

PRESENT PERFECT

I have duffed
we have duffed
you have duffed
he/she/it has duffed
they have duffed
I am duffing
we are duffing
you are duffing
he/she/it is duffing
they are duffing
I was duffing
we were duffing
you were duffing
he/she/it was duffing
they were duffing
I will be duffing
we will be duffing
you will be duffing
he/she/it will be duffing
they will be duffing
I have been duffing
we have been duffing
you have been duffing
he/she/it has been duffing
they have been duffing
I had been duffing
we had been duffing
you had been duffing
he/she/it had been duffing
they had been duffing
I will have been duffing
we will have been duffing
you will have been duffing
he/she/it will have been duffing
they will have been duffing
I would have duffed
we would have duffed
you would have duffed
he/she/it would have duffed
they would have duffed
I would be duffing
we would be duffing
you would be duffing
he/she/it would be duffing
they would be duffing
I would have been duffing
we would have been duffing
you would have been duffing
he/she/it would have been duffing
they would have been duffing

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