cuffin Thieves' cant.
(ˈkʌfɪn)
Also 6 cuffen, 7 cuffing.
[? connected with cuff n.3]
A man, fellow; chap; = cove n.2 queer cuffin: a churlish fellow; also, a justice.
| 1567 Harman Caveat 86 Yonder dwelleth a quyere cuffen..Yonder dwelleth a hoggeshe and choyrlyshe man. 1609 Dekker Lanthorn & Candle-lt. Wks. 1884–5 III. 196 The word Coue, or Cofe, or Cuffin, signifies a Man, a Fellow. 1641 Brome Jov. Crew ii. Wks. 1873 III. 389 We are assaulted by a quire Cuffin. a 1700 B. E. Dict. Cant. Crew, Queere-cuffin, a Justice of Peace; also a Churl. 1818 Scott Hrt. Midl. xxv, ‘He knows my gybe as well as the jark of e'er a queer cuffin in England.’ 1829 Lytton Disowned 4 ‘What ho, my bob cuffins,’ cried the gipsy guide, ‘I have brought you a gentry cove.’ |