Gaff
wiktionary
From Middle English gaffe, from Old French gaffe, from Old Occitan gaf(“hook”), derivative of gafar(“to seize”), from Gothic 𐌲𐌰𐍆𐍆-( gaff-) derived from 𐌲𐌹𐌱𐌰𐌽( giban, “to give”). Doublet of gaffe.
Perhaps from Old English gafsprǣc(“buffoonery, scurrility; blasphemous or ribald speech”), from Old English gaf(“base, vile, lewd”) + Old English sprǣc(“language, speech, talk”). Compare Old English gafettung(“scoffing, mockery, derision”).
Unknown. Possibly from Etymology 1, via a sense of “a place that will be robbed” in criminal argot; possibly from Etymology 2, via a sense of "cheap theatre"; possibly from Romani gav(“village”) (whence German Kaff(“village”)).
gaff ( uncountable)
etymonline
gaff (n.1)
"iron hook," c. 1300, gaffe, from Old French gaffe "boat hook" (see gaffe). Specifically of the hook on a fishing spear from 1650s. As a type of spar from 1769. Related: gaff-hook.
gaff (n.2)
"talk," 1812, in phrase blow the gaff "spill a secret," of uncertain origin. OED points out Old English gafspræc "blasphemous or ribald speech," and Scottish gaff "loud, rude talk" (by 1825). Compare gaffe.
gaff (n.3)
"cheap music hall or theater; place of amusement for the lowest classes," 1812, British slang, earlier "a fair" (1753), of unknown origin.
