View synonyms for duffer

duffer

[ duhf-er ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Informal.
1. a plodding, clumsy, incompetent person.
2. a person inept or inexperienced at a specific sport, as golf.
Northern and North Midland U.S. an old man, especially a dull or indecisive one.
Slang.
1. anything inferior, counterfeit, or useless.
2. a peddler, especially one who sells cheap, flashy goods.

duffer

/ ˈdʌfə /

Origin of duffer¹

1835–45; perhaps Scots dialect duffar, dowfart “dull, stupid person,” derivative of dowf; duffer def 3 perhaps re-formation with duff ³ + -er ¹

Origin of duffer¹

C19: of uncertain origin

Matt and Ross Duffer, the twin creators and showrunners of the Netflix series, said it was Wolfhard’s “authenticity” that won him the role.

He's a kindly old duffer; always doing things for folks and going out of his way to help a neighbor and things like that.

Duffer is most inelegant (this from Julie in an assumption of stern reproach); I do not see wherever you picked up such a word.

There is no false modesty in the confidence with which I esteem myself a duffer, at fishing.

Anyway, you're behaving like a brick to them both, and Ronnie is a deuced old duffer for giving you up.

Harry: I used to think Santa a pretty jolly old duffer, who made lots of sport for the infants, but I'm ready for a change myself.

April 18, 2024petrichor

[pet-ri-kawr]

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