Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CHUFF, n. and adj.
†1. n. A rustic; a rude, coarse individual. A slightly silly person, a dupe, idiot. In use in Eng. up to 18th cent. (see N.E.D.).Sc. 1820 Scott Abbot xxvi.:
There is his brother too, a sordid chuff.Ayr. 1873 A. Aitken Poems 85:
He's a stupid chuff Wha toils through life.Uls. 1987 Sam Hanna Bell Across the Narrow Sea 21:
Suddenly the old man had flung himself forward, hands outstretched beseechingly to the poor chuff across the table. Uls. 1987 Sam Hanna Bell Across the Narrow Sea 95:
In pettish ill-humour Drummond watched the youth depart. The impudent callan had come close to telling him his duty. He could scarce believe that the MacIlveens would try to make a chuff out of their landlord's factor.
‡2. adj. Boorish, conceited; “applied to a person who thinks he may deport himself just as he likes” (Gall. c.1900 (per Kcb.4)). Also found in Eng. dial. (E.D.D.).
[O.Sc. has chuff, a churl or miserly person, c.1470–1480 (D.O.S.T.). Earliest quot. for Eng. in N.E.D. is c.1440. Origin uncertain.]
