duffer

noun

duf·​fer ˈdə-fər 

1

a

: a peddler especially of cheap flashy articles

b

: something counterfeit or worthless

2

: an incompetent, ineffectual, or clumsy person

especially : a mediocre golfer

3

Australia : a cattle rustler

Did you know?

Duffers have never really been straight shooters-on or off the golf course. The original duffers of the mid-18th century were shysters of the first order, merchants who palmed off trashy goods as if they were highly valuable (they often implied to unwary buyers that the goods had been smuggled and were very rare). Over time, the meaning of duffer was extended from a no-good peddler to anyone who was "no good," not just because the individual had low morals, but because he or she was incompetent or stupid. The term has been applied to hopelessly bad golfers since the late 19th century.

Examples of duffer in a Sentence

We joined the other duffers at the course.

He's a lovable old duffer.

Recent Examples on the Web

Plenty a duffer who opposed the invasion of Iraq and the privatization of Social Security has gone on to invoke the line in admiring jest. —Ben McGrath, The New Yorker, 29 July 2024

Many duffers would pick two-time major PGA Tour champion John Daly, whose on-and-off course feats have become legend. —Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 14 July 2024

For the first third of the 20th century even duffers had caddies and at Pinehurst that meant a Black man or boy. —Craig Gill / Made By History, TIME, 13 June 2024

Unwinding with a cool glass of lemonade, the jointed old duffer in the lawn chair is simply propped in place. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Sep. 2022

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from duff, noun, something worthless

First Known Use

1756, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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