British English Slang – Naff.
(adjective) Uncool, cheap-looking or in poor taste.
It’s the office Christmas party. Your colleague turns up in a bright blue jumper covered in Santas, snowflakes and wreaths, blowing a party horn and laughing his head off. It’s loud, it’s cheap and it’s a little bit embarrassing. In other words, it’s naff. But he’s having the time of his life!
We use naff for things like clothes, presents, music, decorations and films. It’s similar to tacky or cheesy. It’s usually gentle teasing, not a cruel insult, and Brits often say it with a smile, especially about things they secretly love.
Where Does “Naff” Come From?
The word most likely comes from Polari, an old secret slang used by performers and gay men in Britain. It became famous in the 1960s through the BBC radio comedy Round the Horne, where the characters Julian and Sandy used Polari words on air.
In the 1970s, the BBC prison sitcom Porridge gave it a new job. The writers needed the prisoners to swear without offending viewers, so they used naff instead. “Naff off!” was soon heard all over Britain.
The phrase made headlines again in 1982, when Princess Anne reportedly told photographers to “naff off” after falling from her horse at the Badminton Horse Trials. Years later, one photographer admitted the press may have tidied up her words a little!
Naff vs “Naff Off”
- Naff (adjective) is friendly and safe: “Your ringtone is a bit naff.”
- Naff off (phrasal verb) means “go away”. It’s rude, but much milder than the real swear word. Only use it jokingly with friends: “Oh, naff off! I’m not wearing that jumper.”
How to Use It
- With a bit or so: “The decorations were a bit naff.”
- Before a noun: “He gave me a naff keyring for my birthday.”
- In a question: “Is it naff to wear a bum bag?”
Similar words: tacky, cheesy, uncool and, if you ask a teenager, cringe.
Is naff disappearing? It’s used a little less than it was in the 2000s. Find out more in Are Brits Still Saying “Marvellous”? For more words like this, see our 50 British slang words and expressions.
Example:
- “My mate’s Christmas jumper is so naff, but he loves it!”
- “We bought a naff fridge magnet at the airport gift shop.”
- “Is it naff to wear socks with sandals?”
- “The party was fun, but the music was a bit naff.”
Learn More
Look it upNaffWiktionaryWhat is slang?
Slang is very informal language. It’s usually spoken rather than written, and is often used by a particular group of people or in a particular place. Slang changes over time, and using it well is a great way to sound more natural when speaking English.
Frequently Asked Questions
Naff is British slang for something uncool, cheap-looking or in poor taste, such as a cheesy Christmas jumper or a tacky souvenir.
No. Naff on its own is a mild, friendly way to tease something. “Naff off”, meaning go away, is ruder, but it is still much milder than a real swear word.
It most likely comes from Polari, an old secret slang used by performers and gay men in Britain. The BBC radio comedy Round the Horne made it popular in the 1960s, and the sitcom Porridge used it in the 1970s.
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