muff
pronunciation
How to pronounce muff in British English:
UK [mʌf]
How to pronounce muff in American English:
US [mʌf]
-
- Noun:
- a warm tubular covering for the hands
- (sports) dropping the ball
-
- Verb:
- fail to catch, as of a ball
- make a mess of, destroy or ruin
Word Origin
- muff (n.)
- "warm covering for the hands," 1590s, from Dutch mof "a muff," shortened from Middle Dutch moffel "mitten, muff," from Middle French moufle "mitten," from Old French mofle "thick glove, large mitten, handcuffs" (9c.), from Medieval Latin muffula "a muff," of unknown origin. In 17c.-18c. also worn by men. Meaning "vulva and pubic hair" is from 1690s; muff-diver "one who performs cunnilingus" is from 1935.
- muff (v.)
- "to bungle," 1827, pugilism slang, probably related to muff (n.) "awkward person" (1837), perhaps from muff (n.) on notion of someone clumsy because his hands are in a muff. Related: Muffed; muffing.
Example
- 1. " Muff potter 'll hang for this if they catch him ! "
- 2. They see doctors robinson , villain injun joe and muff potter drunk .
- 3. That muff broke all of my dishes .
- 4. " It was within three feet of muff potter when it done it . "
- 5. " Huck , muff potter don 't know it . How can he tell ? "