naff

What it means

1. 1.

   Tacky, in poor taste, unfashionable. Aimed squarely at things that are trying and failing to be impressive.

In use

• The hotel was nice but the decor was a bit naff.

• That's a naff excuse and you know it.

Where it comes from

Origin genuinely uncertain. It was current in Polari, the coded slang of gay and theatrical circles in mid-century Britain, and broke into general use in the 1970s. The various acronym explanations circulating online are backronyms with no evidence behind them.

First attested: 1960s

Other forms

Similar terms:

tacky, cheesy