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Usenet Posted 21 years ago
Usage
Gaffer
I read at imdb.com/glossary that a gaffer was...
The head of the electrical department, responsible for the design and execution of the lighting plan for a production. Early films used mostly natural light, which stagehands controlled with large tent cloths using long poles called gaffs (stagehands were often beached sailors or longshoremen, and a gaff is a type of boom on a sailing ship). In 16th Century English, the term "gaffer" denoted a man who was the head of any organized group of laborers.
Other sources say that the term came from the 16th c term gaffer that denoted a grandfather or godfather and that it was only in the 19th c that it came to denote a foreman. These sources also don't meantion the "gaff" connection to sailing.
Does anyone know which account is correct?
The head of the electrical department, responsible for the design and execution of the lighting plan for a production. Early films used mostly natural light, which stagehands controlled with large tent cloths using long poles called gaffs (stagehands were often beached sailors or longshoremen, and a gaff is a type of boom on a sailing ship). In 16th Century English, the term "gaffer" denoted a man who was the head of any organized group of laborers.
Other sources say that the term came from the 16th c term gaffer that denoted a grandfather or godfather and that it was only in the 19th c that it came to denote a foreman. These sources also don't meantion the "gaff" connection to sailing.
Does anyone know which account is correct?
Top answer
com/glossary that a gaffer was... The head of the electrical department, responsible for the design and execution ... denote a foreman.
- com/glossary that a gaffer was...
- The head of the electrical department, responsible for the design and execution ...
- denote a foreman.
- These sources also don't meantion the "gaff" connection to sailing.
- [/nq] Movies always list a gaffer, which typically sparks humorous speculation from those first encountering the word.
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54 Answers
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[nq:1]I read at imdb.com/glossary that a gaffer was... The head of the electrical department, responsible for the design and execution ... denote a foreman. These sources also don't meantion the "gaff" connection to sailing. Does anyone know which account is correct?[/nq]
Movies always list a gaffer, which typically sparks humorous speculation from those first encountering the word. Usually, s
Movies always list a gaffer, which typically sparks humorous speculation from those first encountering the word. Usually, s
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[nq:1]Movies always list a gaffer, which typically sparks humorousspeculation from those first encountering the word. Usually, such humor runsalong the lines of "What the **** does a gaffer do?"[/nq]
He spends a lot of his time with the Best Boy, doesn't he?
In BrEng "the gaffer" usually refers to the boss particularly of a small outfit of artisans, plumbers, etc. "Gaffer tape" seems
He spends a lot of his time with the Best Boy, doesn't he?
In BrEng "the gaffer" usually refers to the boss particularly of a small outfit of artisans, plumbers, etc. "Gaffer tape" seems
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[nq:1]In BrEng "the gaffer" usually refers to the boss particularly ofa small outfit of artisans, plumbers, etc. "Gaffer tape" seems to bea colloquial term for "Duck" (duct) tape.[/nq]
I think gaffer tape and Duck tape are different. Duck tape is smooth and shiny (the roll I have is, anyhow), while I think of gaffer tape as the more overtly cloth-based kind. I'd love to know why it's called "g
I think gaffer tape and Duck tape are different. Duck tape is smooth and shiny (the roll I have is, anyhow), while I think of gaffer tape as the more overtly cloth-based kind. I'd love to know why it's called "g
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Another important difference: proper gaffer tape (usually matte black) has an adhesive that won't leave a sticky residue behind when it is pulled up, unlike duct tape (usually metalic silver-colored and a bit shiny, as you noted). Gaffers (in the theatrical/film sense of "chief lighting electricians" use it to temporarily hold down wires (electrical cables, etc.), hence the name. Also of great use
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[nq:1]I read at imdb.com/glossary that a gaffer was... The head of the electrical department, responsible for the design and execution ... denote a foreman. These sources also don't meantion the "gaff" connection to sailing. Does anyone know which account is correct?[/nq]
The nautical connection seems unlikely:
(i) I would like to see some evidence that stage hands were "beached sailors or
The nautical connection seems unlikely:
(i) I would like to see some evidence that stage hands were "beached sailors or
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[nq:2] a a I think gaffer tape and Duck tape ... first people I knew who used the term were actors.[/nq]
[nq:1]Another important difference: proper gaffer tape (usually matte black) has an adhesive that won't leave a sticky residue behind when ... draft additions to the OED don't capture the distinction between the two as it exists in at least American usage.[/nq]
Duct tape (which now come
[nq:1]Another important difference: proper gaffer tape (usually matte black) has an adhesive that won't leave a sticky residue behind when ... draft additions to the OED don't capture the distinction between the two as it exists in at least American usage.[/nq]
Duct tape (which now come
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[nq:1]I read at imdb.com/glossary that a gaffer was... The head of the electrical department, responsible for the design and execution ... denote a foreman. These sources also don't meantion the "gaff" connection to sailing. Does anyone know which account is correct?[/nq]
Someone with an OED may be kind enough to check your specific question about whether the "foreman" meaning of "gaffer" date
Someone with an OED may be kind enough to check your specific question about whether the "foreman" meaning of "gaffer" date
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[nq:2]I read at imdb.com/glossary that a gaffer was... The head ... connection to sailing. Does anyone know which account is correct?[/nq]
[nq:1]Someone with an OED may be kind enough to check your specific question about whether the "foreman" meaning of "gaffer" dates to the 19th or 16th century. My hunch is it makes a fairly steady sequence from godfather to crew boss.[/nq]
The online OE
[nq:1]Someone with an OED may be kind enough to check your specific question about whether the "foreman" meaning of "gaffer" dates to the 19th or 16th century. My hunch is it makes a fairly steady sequence from godfather to crew boss.[/nq]
The online OE
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[nq:2]I read at imdb.com/glossary that a gaffer was... The head ... connection to sailing. Does anyone know which account is correct?[/nq]
[nq:1]The nautical connection seems unlikely: (i) I would like to see some evidence that stage hands were "beached sailors or ... man" from the 16th century, but the sense of "foreman of a work gang" appears in the 19th. Ross Clark[/nq]
Just to firm up
[nq:1]The nautical connection seems unlikely: (i) I would like to see some evidence that stage hands were "beached sailors or ... man" from the 16th century, but the sense of "foreman of a work gang" appears in the 19th. Ross Clark[/nq]
Just to firm up
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