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Buffin vs Boffin - What's the difference?

buffin | boffin |

As nouns the difference between buffin and boffin

is that buffin is a sort of coarse material while boffin is a scientist or engineer, especially one engaged in technological or military research.

buffin

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • (obsolete) A sort of coarse material.
  • buffin gowns
    (Webster 1913)

    boffin

    English

    (wikipedia boffin)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (UK, Australia, informal) A scientist or engineer, especially one engaged in technological or military research.
  • *{{quote-journal
  • , date = 1942-02-02 , first = Sir Henry , last = Tizard , title = Parliamentary and Scientific Committee. Luncheon. , journal = Journal of the Institute of Petroleum , volume = 28 , issue = 219 , url = http://delibra.bg.polsl.pl/Content/15981/P-102_1942_No219.pdf , page = 58 , passage = In fact, a fighting friend of mine said that he could hardly walk in any direction in this war without tumbling over a scientist who had got in the way. In the Royal Air Force, where the concentration of scientists is perhaps greatest, they have a pet name for them. They call them " Boffins'." Why, I do not know. I said to a young friend of mine in the Air Force, " Why do you call scientists ' ' Boffins  ' ?" He said, " I don't know. What else would you call them ? " }}

    Synonyms

    *egghead

    Derived terms

    * astro-boffin * boffinry

    See also

    * backroom boys * mad scientist