[‘ A clever trick, ploy, or stratagem to achieve a desired end, esp. by unorthodox, irregular, or time-saving means; a dodge; a tip.']
Pronunciation: Brit. /kwɪf/, U.S. /kwɪf/
Forms: 18– *quiff*, 19– *queef* /Sc./, 19– *quift* /Eng. regional/ (Lincs.), 19– *whiff* /Eng. regional/ (Herts.).
Etymology:Origin unknown.
/regional/ and slang (esp. Naut.).
A clever trick, ploy, or stratagem to achieve a desired end, esp. by unorthodox, irregular, or time-saving means; a dodge; a tip.
1881 /Advertiser Notes & Queries/ I. 77/2 /Quiff/. What is the origin of this word, so often used in the sentence, ‘I’ll teach thee a quiff’, meaning something clever. It is often heard in Cheshire.
1890 A. Barrère & C. G. Leland /Dict. Slang/ II. 164 /Quiff/..(Tailors), a word used in expressing an idea that a satisfactory result may be obtained by other than strictly recognised rules or principles.
1925 E. Fraser & J. Gibbons /Soldier & Sailor Words/ 223 /Quiff/, any specially ingenious smart, tricky, or novel or improvised way of doing anything. (Navy). In the Army used of any drill method peculiar to a battalion, and not usually done in others. Where the wording of the Drill Book is vague, units often read different meanings into the phraseology and invent their own ‘Quiffs’.
1925 N. Lucas /Autobiogr. Crook/ v. 72 I’ll give you one quiff, right now, because I like your face and your nerve. Never touch the dope, it’s hell—and worse than that.
1928 /Weekly Dispatch/ 13 May 10/4 Suddenly a faint grey blur on the horizon in the expected direction. The seaman blinks his eyes—an old quiff which prevents many a false alarm—and then makes his report.
1933 J. Masefield /Bird of Dawning/ 107 It was young Mr. Abbott worked that quiff on you, sir.
1961 F. H. Burgess /Dict. Sailing/ 166 /Quiff/, a trick or artifice that makes a job easier.
1996 C. I. Macafee /Conc. Ulster Dict./ 266/2 /Quiff/, a trick; a dodge.