Puff, like in "He is a puff"

[Josefsson]

Well I heard a expression they don't teach in English class here in Sweden..
And it was the word puff. In a sentence as "He is a puff". I thought that it meant the same thing as "he is gay/homo". So am I right?

[konungursvia]

I believe that is correct, although it may be dated. We don't hear it any more in Canada. Variant: poof.

[MrPedantic]

"A puff" for "a homosexual" (or simply a not very manly male) is sometimes heard in British English, as a variant of "poof" (with a hint of "powderpuff").

I would say that it is used as a consciously dated term.

("Poof" itself has been reclaimed, to some extent; a well known tv singing quartet is called "Four poofs and a piano".)

MrP

[jackolantern]

It is used much more often in slang in the UK than the USA. In fact, in the USA it really does not have that meaning anymore.

[BobK]

Originally Posted by MrPedantic

"A puff" for "a homosexual" (or simply a not very manly male) is sometimes heard in British English, as a variant of "poof" (with a hint of "powderpuff").

I would say that it is used as a consciously dated term.

("Poof" itself has been reclaimed, to some extent; a well known tv singing quartet is called "Four poofs and a piano".)

MrP

Yes, dated. And now mostly used as in your example, I think. A gay man might say something like 'Why should what I think matter. I'm just a sad old poof'.

b

[Keralite]

Originally Posted by konungursvia

I believe that is correct, although it may be dated. We don't hear it any more in Canada. Variant: poof.

Could you please tell me what does mean by 'dated' in this statement.
I guess that it means 'Old' . Is it correct?

Thanks in advance..

[buggles]

Originally Posted by Keralite

Could you please tell me what does mean by 'dated' in this statement.
I guess that it means 'Old' . Is it correct?

Thanks in advance..

Not just old, but old-fashioned.

buggles (not a teacher)