| gaffer | 1. An old fellow; an aged rustic. "Go to each gaffer and each goody." (Fawkes) Gaffer was originally a respectful title, now degenerated into a term of familiarity or contempt when addressed to an aged man in humble life. 2. A foreman or overseer of a gang of laborers. Origin: Possibly contr. Fr. Godfather; but prob. Fr. Gramfer for grandfather. Cf. Gammer. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
|---|