Daffy, n.1
(ˈdæfɪ)
Also daff(e)y.
[The name of Thomas Daffy, an English clergyman of the seventeenth century.]
Orig. in Daffy's elixir, a medicine given to infants, ‘tinctura sennæ composita’ (Dunglison), to which gin was commonly added; hence, a slang name for gin itself.
| 1680 The True News: or, Mercurius Anglicus no. 33 10–13 Mar. [2]/2 Whereas divers Persons have lately exposed to sale a counterfeit Drink called Elixir Salutis, the true Drink of that Name, having been long since published by Mr. Anthony Daffy, (and generally known by the name of Daffy's Elixir Salutis), [etc.]. 1681 [see elixir n. 2 b]. c 1711 C. Mordaunt Let. in Lady Hamilton Mordaunts (1965) iv. 79 Daphios Elixir for Chollick. 1768–74 [see elixir n. 2 b]. 1776 Hibernian Jrnl. 8–10 Apr. 179/3 (Advt.), Daffy's Elixir, just imported. 1821 The Fancy I. 304 While carrying on his new vocation as publican, Jack did not deny himself the use of drops of Daffy. 1828 Sporting Mag. XXI. 435 His predilection for daffey of late years grew upon him. 1838 Dickens O. Twist I. ii. 15 [A little gin] to put into the blessed infants' Daffy. 1846 Swell's Night Guide 58, I takes the swell into the tape shop, took our daffies..and planted Flabby Bet on him. 1857 Trollope Barchester T. xxiii, Not got a coral—how can you expect that he should cut his teeth? Have you got Daffy's Elixir? 1861 A. Halliday in Mayhew Lond. Labour Extra vol. (1862) 430/2 When I goes in where they are a havin' their daffies—that's drops o' gin, sir. 1871 London Figaro 15 Apr. 10/2 [If the baby] should bawl persistently,..he would..bathe it in Mrs. Winslow's syrup, and thoroughly dose it with ‘Daffy’. 1882 Punch 29 Apr. 193/2 A good many of them..had been partaking freely of daffy. 1967 E. Burton Georgians at Home vi. 226 They [sc. Ward's pills] could hardly have done more harm or good than the snake-root and brandy.., Daffy's Elixir, usquebaugh, [etc.]. |