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Reefer vs Beefer - What's the difference?

reefer | beefer |

In slang|lang=en terms the difference between reefer and beefer

is that reefer is (slang) a marijuana cigarette while beefer is (slang) a police informer.

As nouns the difference between reefer and beefer

is that reefer is (nautical) someone who reefs sails, especially a midshipman or reefer can be a refrigerated, insulated trailer or shipping container or reefer can be (slang) a marijuana cigarette while beefer is (slang) a police informer.

reefer

English

Etymology 1

From .

Noun

(en noun)
  • (nautical) Someone who reefs sails, especially a midshipman.
  • *1922 , (Katherine Mansfield), ‘Prelude’, Oxford 2002 (Selected Stories ), p. 85:
  • *:Her reefer cap was all on one side and on her cheek there was the print of an anchor button she had pressed on while sleeping.
  • A reefer jacket; a close-fitting jacket or short coat of thick cloth.
    • Derived terms
    * reefer jacket

    Etymology 2

    Shortened form of (refrigerator).

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A refrigerated, insulated trailer or shipping container.

    • Etymology 3

    Origin uncertain. Perhaps compare regional (etyl) (Central America).

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (slang) A marijuana cigarette.
  • (slang, uncountable) marijuana.
  • *1982 , (Grandmaster Flash), :
  • *:Daddy I don't want to go to school because the teacher's a jerk, he must think I'm a fool and all the kids smoke reefer , I think it'd be cheaper if I just got a job learned to be a street sweeper.
    • Synonyms
    * (marijuana cigarette) See also

    beefer

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (slang) A police informer.
  • A cow used for beef and not milk.
  • * 1916 , Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers, Journal (volume 30-32, page 89)
    • We usually reckon if a cow does not respond to good food at the pail, that she is "putting it on her back"; that is, she fattens, and is thus more of a beefer than a milker, and should not be retained for milking purpose.