gaffer
gaffer — noun
- gaffersingular
- gaffersplural
1. a worker who leads other labourers or tradespeople and makes sure the practical
a worker who leads other labourers or tradespeople and makes sure the practical work is done safely and in the right order.
Baraka asked the gaffer which wall the brick team should finish first.
ask the gaffer for work instructions
When the cement truck arrived, the gaffer checked every safety belt himself.
the gaffer as site safety authority
After lunch, Niran told the gaffer that two ladders were missing.
The new gaffer moved the crew indoors when the storm reached the site.
- foreman
more neutral and standard, especially in job titles
- boss
broader and less specific; can refer to many kinds of leader
- supervisor
more formal and used in office or service settings too
- ganger
British, especially for the leader of a small manual-work gang
文法句型
the gaffer on [a site / a job]
ask the gaffer + clause
用法筆記
Common in British English for the person in charge of hands-on work, especially on building sites and similar jobs. In offices or shops, 'manager' or 'supervisor' is more usual.
2. the head electrician for screen production, leading the lighting team and arrang
the head electrician for screen production, leading the lighting team and arranging the lamps and power needed for each scene.
Aoi asked the gaffer to soften the light before the actor walked in.
ask the gaffer to adjust the light
During the night shoot, the gaffer ran extra power to the rain machine.
the gaffer handles electrical supply
Christopher thanked the gaffer when the kitchen scene finally looked warm enough on camera.
Before filming started, the gaffer tested each lamp above the hospital bed.
- chief electrician
clear descriptive equivalent, especially outside film slang
- head of lighting
plain descriptive phrase rather than the industry title
- lighting supervisor
sounds more formal and less tied to film-set slang
文法句型
the gaffer on [a film / a set]
ask the gaffer to + verb
用法筆記
This is a set-specific film and TV job title, not a general word for any electrician. Distinguish from sense 1, where 'gaffer' means the worksite boss rather than the lighting lead.
3. an informal, often old-fashioned word for an elderly man.
an informal, often old-fashioned word for an elderly man.
The old gaffer still walks to the harbour every morning for tea.
old gaffer as a casual label for an elderly man
At the village fair, Élise helped a tired gaffer carry his chair home.
Wren laughed when the gaffer at the gate called everyone 'my dears'.
Ravindra bought the lonely gaffer a hot pie from the station shop.
- old man
plain and general; can sound blunt depending on tone
- old fellow
friendlier and slightly old-fashioned
- elderly gentleman
more polite and formal than 'gaffer'
文法句型
an old gaffer
the gaffer at [a place]
用法筆記
Often sounds dated, regional, or affectionate in British English. Distinguish from sense 1, where 'gaffer' refers to the boss rather than simply an older man.