Where does “gaffe” come from?
Gaffe comes from French gaffe, derived from Old Occitan gaf, itself from Old Occitan gafar, meaning to seize or grab.
gaffe (English): A foolish and embarrassing error, especially one...
Definitions
- A foolish and embarrassing error, especially one...
Ancestry of “gaffe”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | French | gaffe | gaffe, blunder, goof-up , cock-up; boathook |
| 2 | Old Occitan | gaf | hook; clasp |
| 3 | Old Occitan | gafar | to seize; to grab |