gaff

Noun

1. A tool consisting of a large metal hook with a handle or pole, especially the one used to pull large fish aboard a boat.
2. A minor error or faux pas, a gaffe.
3. A trick or con.
4. The upper spar used to control a gaff-rigged sail.
5. A type of tight, panty-like underwear worn to hold the penis and testicles tucked backwards and make one's genital region look smooth, as if one had a vulva.

Verb

1. To use a gaff, especially to land a fish.
2. To cheat or hoax.
3. (transitive) To doctor or modify for deceptive purposes.
4. (obsolete, slang) To gamble, especially by tossing coins.
5. (informal, transitive) To affix gaffer tape to, or cover with gaffer tape.

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ɡæf/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: gaffe

Inherited from Old English: gafsprǣc

Cognate with Old English: gaf

Cognate with Old English: sprǣc

Cognate with Old English: gaffetung

Cognate with German: Kaff

In summary

From Middle English gaffe, from Old French gaffe, from Old Occitan gaf (“hook”), derivative of gafar (“to seize”), from 𐌲𐌹𐌱𐌰𐌽 (giban, “to give”). Doublet of gaffe.
Sense 5 apparently derives from the idea that the garment tricks or deceives others about the wearer's genitalia.

Synonyms

hook

🪝

harpoon

long-handled hook

cramp

crux

deceive

difficulty

fish-fork

fishhook

fish spear

fizgig

gad

gaff rig

gig

gripper

hitch

inconvenience

arduousness

lance

nonsense

pawl

penalty

rub

rubbish

scabrousness

spar

spear

spike

spur

straitness

straits

stuff

suffering

leister

elephant goad

knot

🪢

barb

cant hook

Translations

gaffel

καμάκι

Gaffel

arpón

cangrejo

🦀

giz

㊙️

δυσκολία

espar

gaffe

grappin

rampino

🪝

الخطاف

gafel

osęk

osęka