Etymology 1

From Middle English . (The lighting of early films, which used natural light, was adjusted by tent cloths adjusted by stagehands using long poles called .)

- From Gaff Rigged Sailboats (using Gaff poles) these tent cloths or canvases got their name.

Noun

1. : A lighting electrician for a motion-picture or television production.

Etymology 2

Likely a contraction of , but with the vowels influenced by . Compare , .

Noun

1. An old man.
2. A foreman.
3. An "Old Gaffer" is a sailor.
4. In Maritime regions "the Little Gaffer" is the baby in the house. (the boss!)