gaffer

1 an elderly man [syn: old-timer, oldtimer, old geezer, antique]

2 an electrician responsible for lighting on a movie or tv set

3 a person who exercises control over workers; "if you want to leave early you have to ask the foreman" [syn: foreman, chief, honcho, boss]

English

Etymology 1

From Middle English gaffe, a hook. (The lighting of early films, which used natural light, was adjusted by tent cloths adjusted by stagehands using long poles, called gaffes.)

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -æfə(r)

Noun

1. In the context of "Filmology": : A lighting electrician for a motion-picture or television production.

Related terms

• gaffer tape

Translations

• Bulgarian: осветител
• Danish: lysmand

Etymology 2

Probably from the French gramfer, grandfather, although possibly an alteration of godfather.

Noun

1. An old man.
2. A foreman.

Related terms

• gammer

Translations

• Bulgarian: дядо (1), старец (1), надзирател (2)
• Danish: gammel mand (1); formand (2)

Gaffer or Gaffa may refer to:

• Gaffer (boss), a British colloquial term for "boss" or "old man"
• Gaffer (motion picture industry), the head of the electrical department
• Gaffer tape, a type of adhesive tape
• Gaffer, Character in the Muppets
• Gaffa (band), a punk band
• GAFFA, a Danish music magazine

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