# gaff

> English word · Noun · IPA /ɡæf/ · frequency rank #42,659

## Definitions
1. A tool consisting of a large metal hook with a handle or pole, especially the one used to pull large fish aboard a boat.
2. A minor error or faux pas, a gaffe.
3. A trick or con.
4. The upper spar used to control a gaff-rigged sail.
5. A type of tight, panty-like underwear worn to hold the penis and testicles tucked backwards and make one's genital region look smooth, as if one had a vulva.

## Etymology
From Middle English gaffe, from Old French gaffe, from Old Occitan gaf (“hook”), derivative of gafar (“to seize”), from 𐌲𐌹𐌱𐌰𐌽 (giban, “to give”). Doublet of gaffe.
Etymology 1 sense 5 apparently derives from the idea that the garment tricks or deceives others about the wearer's genitalia.

## Easily confused with
- **GF** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gaff-vs-gf)
- **gas** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gaff-vs-gas)
- **Gay** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gaff-vs-gay)
- **gap** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gaff-vs-gap)
- **gif** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gaff-vs-gif)
- **gal** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gaff-vs-gal)
- **gag** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gaff-vs-gag)
- **GAO** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gaff-vs-gao)
- **gan** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gaff-vs-gan)
- **gah** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gaff-vs-gah)
- **gar** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gaff-vs-gar)
- **Gaz** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gaff-vs-gaz)
- **gat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gaff-vs-gat)
- **gam** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gaff-vs-gam)
- **game** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gaff-vs-game)
- **gave** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gaff-vs-gave)
- **gain** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gaff-vs-gain)
- **gift** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gaff-vs-gift)
- **golf** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gaff-vs-golf)
- **gang** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gaff-vs-gang)

## Common misspellings (4)
`agff`, `gaf`, `gfaf`, `ggaff`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/gaff