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Goof vs Gaff - What's the difference?

goof | gaff |

As nouns the difference between goof and gaff

is that goof is a mistake or error while gaff is a tool consisting of a large metal hook with a handle or pole, especially the one used to pull large fish aboard a boat.

As verbs the difference between goof and gaff

is that goof is to make a mistake while gaff is to use a gaff, especially to land a fish.

goof

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • (US) A mistake or error,
    • I made a goof in that last calculation.
  • # (US, cinematography) An error made during production which finds its way into the final release.
  • (US) A foolish and/or silly person; a goofball.
    • Your little brother is a total goof .
  • A child molester.

    • Synonyms

    * (error) blooper, boo-boo, error, faux pas, fluff, gaffe, lapse, mistake, slip, stumble, thinko * See also

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (US) To make a mistake.
    • It's my fault: I goofed.
  • (US) To engage in mischief.
    • We were just goofing by painting the neighbors cat green.

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Derived terms

    (terms derived from goof) * goof around * goof off * goof-off * goof up * goofball * goofy

    gaff

    English

    (wikipedia gaff)

    Etymology 1

    (etyl), from (etyl) (m), from (etyl) .

    Alternative forms

    * gaffe

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A tool consisting of a large metal hook with a handle or pole, especially the one used to pull large fish aboard a boat.
  • A minor error or faux pas.
    • We politely ignored his gaff .
  • A trick or con.
    • The sideshow feat was a just a gaff , but the audience was too proud to admit they'd been fooled.
  • (British, Irish, slang) A place of residence.
    • We're going round to Mike's gaff later to watch the footie.
  • (nautical) The upper spar used to control a gaff-rigged sail.
  • A garment worn to hide the genitals by some trans people.
    • Synonyms
    * hakapik

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To use a gaff, especially to land a fish.
  • To cheat or hoax

    • Derived terms

    * gaffer

    Etymology 2

    Perhaps from (etyl)

    Noun

  • rough or harsh treatment; criticism
    • {{quote-book
    , year=1916 , year_published=2008 , edition=HTML , editor= , author=Edgar Rice Burrows , title=Beyond Thirty (aka The Lost Continent) , chapter= citation , genre= , publisher=The Gutenberg Project , isbn= , page= , passage="Numbers one, two, and five engines have broken down, sir," he called. "Shall we force the remaining three?" / "We can do nothing else," I bellowed into the transmitter. / "They won't stand the gaff', sir," he returned. / "Can you suggest a better plan?" I asked. / "No, sir," he replied. / "Then give them the ' gaff , lieutenant," I shouted back, and hung up the receiver. }}

    References

    * Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia, gaff * New Oxford American Dictionary, gaff[2]

    Anagrams

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