Caff
/kæf/noun
A slang term for coffee, often used in British English.
Did you know?The word 'caff' is thought to derive from 'café,' which originally referred to a place serving coffee but is steeped in social and political movements throughout history.
Etymological Timeline
Late 19th Century
English
caff
“A colloquial term referring to coffee, emerging in informal British contexts.”
French Revolution
French
café
“A coffeehouse known for intellectual and revolutionary discussions.”
16th Century
Italian
caffè
“Derived from Arabic, referring to a drink made from roasted coffee beans.”
15th Century
Arabic
qahwa
“Originally meaning 'wine' or 'intoxicating drink', referring to the stimulating properties of coffee.”