Duff
/dʌf/noun
A British informal word for something useless, broken, or inferior; also a type of pudding in some dialects.
Did you know?The word has multiple independent histories: the slang sense likely developed in English dialects meaning ‘bad’ or ‘worthless,’ while the pudding sense is a separate culinary word, not the same origin.
Etymological Timeline
Old English / Early Middle English
English
duf
“A dialectal or regional word associated with dullness, softness, or worthlessness in later slang development.”
Middle English
English
duff
“A regional or colloquial term used for something inferior, useless, or ineffective.”
19th Century
English
duff
“British slang for something fake, bad, or no good; also used in expressions like 'duff up' for beating.”
19th Century
English
duff
“A pudding or dumpling, especially in British and colonial varieties of English.”
Modern English
English
duff
“Informal word for something defective, worthless, or disappointing; also a pudding in some dialects.”