different between laff vs faff

English

Noun

laff (plural laffs)

1. (chiefly humorous) Alternative spelling of laugh

Verb

laff (third-person singular simple present laffs, present participle laffing, simple past and past participle laffed)

1. (chiefly humorous) Alternative spelling of laugh

German

Etymology

From German Low German [Term?], in which it is either inherited from Middle Low German [Term?] (seemingly not attested), or borrowed from Middle Dutch laf (early 15th century). Compare modern Dutch laf (“cowardly”). Cognate with German labberig (“slack; not crisp”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /laf/

Adjective

laff (comparative laffer, superlative am laffsten)

1. (regional, chiefly northern and central Germany) lethargic; weak; slack
2. (regional, chiefly northern and central Germany) tasteless

Declension

Synonyms

• (lethargic): schlapp
• (tasteless): fad

Related terms

• labberig
• labern

English

Etymology

From a dialect word meaning "blow in gusts".

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /faf/, /fæf/
• Rhymes: -æf

Noun

faff (plural faffs)

1. (Britain, slang) An overcomplicated task, especially one perceived as a waste of time.

   Synonyms: see Thesaurus:nuisance
2. (typically in the phrase 'in a faff') A state of confused or frantic activity.

   Synonym: flap

Verb

faff (third-person singular simple present faffs, present participle faffing, simple past and past participle faffed)

1. (Britain, slang) To waste time on an unproductive activity.

   Synonyms: arse around, (American) dick around

Usage notes

• Particularly used with about or around.

Cimbrian

Etymology 1

From Middle High German pfaffe, from Old High German pfaffo, phapho, from Latin papa, from Byzantine Greek ????? (papâs), from Koine Greek ????? (pápas), from Ancient Greek ?????? (páppas). Cognate to German Pfaffe, Dutch paap. Doublet of baabost.

Noun

faff m (plural faffen)

1. (Luserna, Sette Comuni) priest

Etymology 2

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Noun

faff ?

1. (Luserna) lily (flower)

References

• “faff” in Martalar, Umberto Martello; Bellotto, Alfonso (1974) Dizionario della lingua Cimbra dei Sette Communi vicentini, 1st edition, Roana, Italy: Instituto di Cultura Cimbra A. Dal Pozzo
• “faff” in Patuzzi, Umberto, ed., (2013) Ünsarne Börtar [Our Words], Luserna, Italy: Comitato unitario delle isole linguistiche storiche germaniche in Italia / Einheitskomitee der historischen deutschen Sprachinseln in Italien