gaffana

[jw@BOURBAKI.MIT.EDU]

(From Chamber's 20th century dictionary)

_gaff_^1  n.        a fish-hook: a spar for a sail      [Fr. gaffe]

_gaff_^2  n.(slang) a low theatre: a fair               [origin obscure]

_gaff_^3  n.        a blunder                           [Fr. gaffe]

_gaff_^4  v.i.(slang) to gamble                         [origin obscure]
          ns. _gaffer_; _gaffing_

_gaff_^5  n.(slang) humbug, nonsense                    [prob. connected with
          _blow the gaff_ to disclose a secret: to blab   _gab_^2 or _gaff_^3
                                                          cf. O.E. gegaf-spraec
                                                          meaning scurrility]

_gaffer_  n.        originally a word of respect applied
                    to an old man, now familiar (fem. _gammer_):
                    the foreman of a squad of workmen   [grandfather, or
                                                          godfather]


So pick your favourite. I don't think any of them fit the song, although
all seem suited to the recent conversation, especially ^2 and ^5.

Is this getting silly enough for you yet?

                                                   Julian