gaffer

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun an elderly man
  2. noun an electrician responsible for lighting on a movie or tv set
  3. noun a person who exercises control over workers

Etymology

From gaff (“hook”) + -er. * (cinema): The natural lighting on early film sets was adjusted by opening and closing flaps in the tent cloths, called gaff cloths or gaff flaps. * (glass)

In classic literature

Synonyms

old-timer, oldtimer, old geezer, antique

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