gaffer
pronunciation
How to pronounce gaffer in British English:
UK [ˈgæfə(r)]
How to pronounce gaffer in American English:
US [ˈɡæfɚ]
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- Noun:
- an elderly man
- an electrician responsible for lighting on a movie or tv set
- a person who exercises control over workers
Word Origin
- gaffer (n.)
- 1580s, "elderly rustic," apparently (based on continental analogies) a contraction of godfather (compare gammer). Originally a term of respect, also applied familiarly; from "old man" it was extended by 1841 to foremen and supervisors, which sense carried over in early 20c. to "electrician in charge of lighting on a film set."
Example
- 1. Bilbo , have you been at the gaffer 's home brew ?
- 2. Stop brooding about it , man . The gaffer does that to everyone .
- 3. That old gaffer going into the pub is90 years old .
- 4. The gaffer told us we 're a good team .
- 5. Your gaffer , does he want anything special ?