gaffer
1
9.1
- noun
- /ˈɡæfər/
- Archaic
:
viejo
- I often seek advice from the local gaffer, who has seen it all in his long life.
- the old gaffer
Examples
-
We invited the elderly gaffer to join us for tea this afternoon.
-
And that's for my old Gaffer!
-
Your gaffer, does he want anything special?
-
My old Gaffer would have a thing or two to say if he could see us now.
-
- Cheers, Gaffer.
-
They've dug up Bagshot Row... ...and thrown my poor old Gaffer out in the street.
-
Bruno, the old German gaffer, was staring into his soup bowl like it was the floor of Pontius Pilate's house.
Fiction book (1992) -
My old gaffer used to tell the best stories about his youth.
Synonyms
47
9.3
An old man who behaves in a strange or unusual way
42
8.1
An informal, loving name for a grandfather
39
5.2
A person who has done something for a long time and is respected for their experience
11
8.2
A friendly name people use for an older man in Britain
8
8.8
A joking, slightly rude name for an old man
6
8.8
An old man who is often a little odd and amusing
4
8.4
A man who is elderly, a bit strange, and often grumpy
3
2.1
An old small man who many people like
3
7.6
A person who is clearly past middle age
1
7.6
An older man with a gray beard who is respected for wisdom
1
5.1
A person who has done a job or activity for many years and knows it well
An older man people talk about in a loving way, often someone's father
A polite name for an older man who people respect for his wisdom
A person who is older and usually retired
How Old
Surface Forms
Etymology
Gaffer originally came from an old word for godfather or grandfather, so it was used to mean an 'old man'. Today it can still be a friendly or slightly respectful name for an elderly man.