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Faff vs Raff - What's the difference?

faff | raff |

As nouns the difference between faff and raff

is that faff is (british|slang) an unnecessary or over-complicated task, especially one perceived as a waste of time while raff is a promiscuous heap; a jumble; a large quantity; lumber; refuse.

As verbs the difference between faff and raff

is that faff is (british|slang) to waste time on an unproductive activity while raff is to sweep, snatch, draw, or huddle together; to take by a promiscuous sweep.

faff

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • (British, slang) An unnecessary or over-complicated task, especially one perceived as a waste of time.
    • Adjusting this television is a bit of a faff .
  • * 2011 , Patrick Kingsley, " Life with the Queen Mum revealed", The Guardian
    • Breakfast in bed at the royal household is a massive faff . A page boy must carry the tray upstairs, but he's banned from actually serving it. So he leaves it on the floor by the bedroom door, whereupon a housemaid picks it up and knocks on said portal.

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (British, slang) To waste time on an unproductive activity.
  • :She faffed about so much, she never got to eat her breakfast.
    • I decided to stop faffing about and get some work done.

    Usage notes

    * Particularly used with .

    Synonyms

    * (l) (American)

    raff

    English

    Noun

  • A promiscuous heap; a jumble; a large quantity; lumber; refuse.
  • * Barrow
    • A raff of errors.
  • The common rabble or mob; riffraff.
  • A low fellow; a churl.

    • Derived terms

    * raff merchant

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To sweep, snatch, draw, or huddle together; to take by a promiscuous sweep.
  • * Carew
    • Causes and effects which I thus raff up together.
    (Webster 1913)