boffin

Meaning

1. (Australia, British, Ireland, New-Zealand, informal) An engineer or scientist, especially one engaged in technological or military research.
2. (Australia, British, Ireland, New-Zealand, broadly, informal) A person with specialized knowledge or skills, especially one who is socially awkward.
3. (Australia, British, Ireland, New-Zealand, broadly, informal) A person with specialized knowledge or skills, especially one who is socially awkward.

Synonyms

research worker

scholar

researcher

savant

egghead

scrutiniser

expert

investigator

Translations

savant

cientista

🧑‍🔬

Experte

scienziato

🧑‍🔬

techneut

intelectual

científico

bilim adamı

🧑‍🔬

ing

expert

intello

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈbɒfɪn/

Etymology

Origin unknown; a number of possible etymologies have been suggested, but no conclusive evidence exists.
One strong theory conjectures a connection from the "Mr. Boffins" of English novels, such as in Dickens' Our Mutual Friend.