"Naff" (British slang)
Having first heard it used by a female friend to describe a uniquely hideous car, I assumed that "naff" was just another common British saying. But after bringing it up with a gay friend of mine, I learned that its story is much richer. Its origin is the language of Polari; a gay slang language that was adapted from 17th century fairground slang during the 1960's as a way for gays to communicate while staying under the radar of homophobes and police officers in London.
According to the ever knowledgeable Internet, "naff" was once used to dismissively refer to heterosexual people. The term went mainstream on the 1970's TV show, Porridge, when it was watered down to the less offensive "naff off," which is a way of saying "f*** off" without sounded like a footballer hooligan. Even Princess Anne dropped the "n" bomb in 1982. I wonder who was on the receiving end of that royal salutation. What's that Google? It was the paparazzi? Then they probably deserved it.
5 out of 5 crumpets
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