It’s Wednesday already and time to time to unearth another little-used word, dust it off and give breathe new life into it. The word I have for you today was made popular by Princess Anne, of all people. As some of you may know, the Queen’s only daughter can be rather feisty and grumpy, and takes after her father for not giving a toss about what people think of her!  So here is that delightful word.

Naff. For its first meaning, this word is followed by ‘off!’ It is a wonderful substitute for the ‘f-word’ when in polite company (if it’s good enough for the Royals….) It conveys annoyance at cheeky journalists snapping less than flattering pictures or invading one’s privacy. Pretty much any time someone or something gets on your nerves, this word helps to express the outrage felt!

Now for the other meaning, it is unstylish, useless, shoddy and second-rate. It is the mullet hairdo, or the cheesy pop album; a blast from the past that was pretty crappy first time around!  It is getting short-changed, diddled, scammed, and ripped off, by some shady character. Clashing colours, substandard service, embarrassing in-laws, anything that is a bit below par really. Something I know I am guilty of being.

Advertisement