Where does “gaffe” come from?
gaffe (Italian) comes from Italian gaffa, from Middle French gaffe, from Old Occitan gaf, from Old Occitan gafar — to seize; to grab.
gaffe (Italian): plural of gaffa; gaffe, blunder, boob
Definitions
- plural of gaffa; gaffe, blunder, boob
Ancestry of “gaffe”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Italian | gaffa | gaff |
| 2 | Middle French | gaffe | — |
| 3 | Old Occitan | gaf | hook; clasp |
| 4 | Old Occitan | gafar | to seize; to grab |