giff-gaffn.
/ˈɡɪfɡaf/, U.S. /ˈɡɪfˌɡæf/, Scottish English /ˈɡɪfɡaf/ Scottish and northern dialect.
1. Mutual giving, mutual help; give and take.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > compromise > [noun]
measure1425
compromisea1513
arbitrament1549
giff-gaff1549
moderation1560
compromission1624
temporizement1647
contemperation1650
temperament1660
temporization1761
give and take1778
the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > types of help > [noun] > mutual assistance
mutual aid1537
giff-gaff1549
giff-gaffing1606
log-rolling1823
back-scratching1924
1549 H. Latimer 2nd Serm. before Kynges Maiestie 3rd Serm. sig. Gvi Some what was geuen to them before & they must nedes gyue somewhat again, for gyffe gafe was a good felowe, this gyffe gaffe led them clen from iustice.
1624 R. Montagu Gagg for New Gospell? xiii. 92 Giff-gaff is a good fellow.
1787 F. Grose Provinc. Gloss. (at cited word) Giff-goff makes good fellowship.
1790 A. Shirrefs Poems Gloss. Giff-gaff, open-heartedness, familiarity, frankness, or mutual condescension.
1815 W. Scott Guy Mannering III. i. 5 I played at giff-gaff with the officers.
1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian iv, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. II. 86 Gif-gaf makes gude friends, ye ken.
1824 W. Scott Redgauntlet II. xii. 278 I have pledged my word for your safety, and you must give me yours to be private in the matter—giff-gaff—you know.
1895 Dundee Advertiser in Daily News 22 Mar. 7/2 The ‘giff-gaff’ principle of making friends.
2. Interchange of remarks; promiscuous talk. (Cf. gaff n.2)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > conversation > [noun] > other types of conversation
diabologuea1713
giff-gaff1787
by-dialogue1817
question and answer1817
war-talk1831
fast talk1866
heart-to-heart1904
pseudo-conversation1926
team talk1947
psychodrama1952
catch-up1972
1787 F. Grose Provinc. Gloss. Giff-gaff, unpremeditated discourse.
1855 F. K. Robinson Gloss. Yorks. Words 70 Giff-gaff, the random conversation which strangers fall into when they meet in going the same road.
1894 S. R. Crockett Lilac Sunbonnet 45 The shrill ‘giff-gaff’ of their colloquy.
Derivatives
ΚΠ
1606 W. Birnie Blame of Kirk-buriall xix. sig. F2 The which giff-gaffing with God is the verie simoniacall sin of Anani and Saphira.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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