duffing, ppl. a. slang.
(ˈdʌfɪŋ)
[f. duff v.1]
1. That passes off a worthless article as valuable.
| 1862 Lond. Herald 27 Dec. (Farmer) Houses..run up by the ‘duffing’ builder, merely for sale. |
2. Counterfeit, rubbishy and offered as valuable.
| 1851 Mayhew Lond. Labour (1861) II. 19 Dealers in ‘duffing fiddles’. These are German-made instruments, and are sold to the Street-folk at 2s. 6d. or 3s. each. 1873 Times Jan. (Farmer) We know now that so-called ‘duffing’ jewellery is scattered far and wide. 1883 Sword & Trowel July 355 ‘Duffing’ canaries, or painted sparrows. |
3. Incompetent, inept, stupid, duffer-like.
| 1881 J. Grant Cameronians I. iii. 39 A little brilliant singing, which Hew..secretly stigmatised as ‘the most duffing caterwauling!’ |