gaffer
NounOpen English WordNet
Noun (3)
- an elderly manSynonyms: old-timeroldtimerold geezerantiqueType of old man, greybeard
- an electrician responsible for lighting on a movie or tv setType of electrician
- a person who exercises control over workers“if you want to leave early you have to ask the foreman”Synonyms: foremanchiefhonchobossType of supervisorKinds straw boss, baas, ganger
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Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Gaf′fer (găf′fẽr), noun
Origin: Possibly contr. fr. godfather; but prob. fr. gramfer for grandfather. Cf. Gammer.
1. An old fellow; an aged rustic.
Go to each gaffer and each goody.— Fr. Fawkes
☞ Gaffer was originally a respectful title, now degenerated into a term of familiarity or contempt when addressed to an aged man in humble life.
2. A foreman or overseer of a gang of laborers. dialect (England)
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54