Gaff vs. Gaffe: Hook or Blunder?

The Basics

• Gaff = a hook or pole used in fishing; also British slang for a house
• Gaffe = a social blunder or embarrassing mistake

Using Gaff

“Gaff” is a fishing tool or, in British slang, a place to live:

• “The fisherman used a gaff to land the marlin.” ✓
• “He steadied the boat with a gaff.” ✓
• “Come back to my gaff later.” ✓ (British slang for house)

Also appears in the phrase “blow the gaff” (British: to reveal a secret):

• “Someone blew the gaff on their plan.” ✓

Using Gaffe

“Gaffe” refers to an embarrassing mistake, especially in social situations:

• “The politician’s gaffe went viral.” ✓
• “She made a gaffe by forgetting the host’s name.” ✓
• “His comment was a diplomatic gaffe.” ✓
• “The spelling error was an embarrassing gaffe.” ✓

Memory Trick

• Gaff = short and sharp like the hook
• Gaffe = the extra E represents the “extra” embarrassment of a blunder

Quick Check

Talking about a mistake or blunder? → gaffe (with an E) Talking about a fishing tool? → gaff (no E)