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Philip Posted 20 years ago
Vocabulary
British "poof"
It seems to me I have heard "poof" in British Englsih to mean 'homosexual' and 'drunk'. Any comments from England? Is the pronunciation more as in "moon" or less rounded, somewhere between "moon and "puff"?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Top answer
---------- Main Entry: poof Pronunciation: püf, p f Variant(s): also poove \ püv, p v\ Function: noun Inflected Form(s): -s Usage: Britain Etymology: probably alteration of 2 puff : a male homosexual Merriam-Webster Unabridged ----------
- ---------- Main Entry: poof Pronunciation: püf, p f Variant(s): also poove \ püv, p v\ Function: noun Inflected Form(s): -s Usage: Britain Etymology: probably alteration of 2 puff : a male homosexual Merriam-Webster Unabridged ----------
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4 Answers
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Hello Philip
I've only heard it for "homosexual", not "drunk". It's usually pronounced with the -oo- as in "look".
It was common in the 60s and 70s, but is now mostly used as a deliberately "retro" phrase. (For instance, there's a singing group called "Four Poofs and a Piano".)
MrP
I've only heard it for "homosexual", not "drunk". It's usually pronounced with the -oo- as in "look".
It was common in the 60s and 70s, but is now mostly used as a deliberately "retro" phrase. (For instance, there's a singing group called "Four Poofs and a Piano".)
MrP
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Jonathon Green, the author of Slang Dictionary, who lives in UK as far as I know, doesn't mention the drunk meaning.
Also it isn't mentioned at this UK slang dictionary site:
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http://www.peevish.co.uk/slang/p.htm
poof
Noun. 1. A male homosexual. Also 'puff'. Derog.
Also it isn't mentioned at this UK slang dictionary site:
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http://www.peevish.co.uk/slang/p.htm
poof
Noun. 1. A male homosexual. Also 'puff'. Derog.
00
Hi guys,
When I lived in England, I often heard the form 'poofter', meaning a gay person.
At that time, the term 'poove' was used to describe someone with a hint of gayness (gaiety?) but the term focused more on such a person having intellectual pretensions. Today, in Canada at least, we have what seems to me to be a some
When I lived in England, I often heard the form 'poofter', meaning a gay person.
At that time, the term 'poove' was used to describe someone with a hint of gayness (gaiety?) but the term focused more on such a person having intellectual pretensions. Today, in Canada at least, we have what seems to me to be a some
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