Gaff-sail

noun, Nautical.
1.
See under 1 (def 3).
[gaf] /gæf/
noun
1.
an iron hook with a handle for landing large fish.
2.
the spur on a climbing iron, especially as used by telephone linemen.
3.
Nautical. a spar rising aft from a mast to support the head of a quadrilateral fore-and-aft sail (gaff sail)
4.
a metal spur for a gamecock.
verb (used with object)
5.
to hook or land (a fish) with a gaff.
/ɡæf/
noun
1.
(angling) a stiff pole with a stout prong or hook attached for landing large fish
2.
(nautical) a boom hoisted aft of a mast to support a gaffsail
3.
a metal spur fixed to the leg of a gamecock
verb (transitive)
4.
(angling) to hook or land (a fish) with a gaff
5.
(slang) to cheat; hoax
/ɡæf/
noun
1.
(slang) foolish talk; nonsense
2.
(Brit, slang) blow the gaff, to divulge a secret
3.
(slang, mainly US & Canadian) stand the gaff, to endure ridicule, difficulties, etc
/ɡæf/
noun (Brit, slang, archaic)
1.
a person’s home, esp a flat
2.
Also called penny-gaff. a cheap or low-class place of entertainment, esp a cheap theatre or music hall in Victorian England
n.

“iron hook,” c.1300, gaffe, from Old French gaffe “boat hook” (see gaffe). Specifically of the hook on a fishing spear from 1650s.

“loud, rude talk,” 1825, from Scottish dialect, perhaps a survival of Old English gafspræc “blasphemous or ribald speech,” or from gaff (n.1), and cf. gaffe.

“cheap music hall or theater; place of amusement for the lowest classes,” 1850s, British slang, earlier “a fair” (1753), of unknown origin.

noun

A concealed device or operation that makes it impossible for the customer to win; gimmick: People started looking for a gaff (1893+ Carnival & hawkers)

verb

Related Terms

blow the gaff, stand the gaff

[fr gaff, ”a hook”]
see: stand the gaff