What it means
A toff is a properly posh sort, the kind who looks like they were born in a blazer, says things a bit too neatly, and moves through life like queues, chip shops, and normal people are all slightly exotic. You usually say it with a smirk when someone's being fancy, snobby, or putting on upper-class airs.
Usage examples
"That lad rocked up in tweed, ordered a gin flight, and moaned the crisps weren’t artisanal. Total toff vibes, everyone was creasing."
"A couple of toffs in tweed wandered into the chippy looking thoroughly lost and asked if we did truffle fries."
"He talks like a toff but grew up two streets over from me, the accent only showed up after he changed jobs."
"She brought her new boyfriend to the pub and he asked if they had a wine list. Proper toff, bless him."
"Look at him turning up to the barbecue in loafers and talking about summering in Tuscany. Absolute toff behaviour."
Where it comes from
Likely worn down from tuft, the gold tassel that titled students once flaunted on their caps at Oxford and Cambridge. The tufts marked the posh and privileged, so the tassel itself became the man, and a toff has meant a moneyed gent ever since.
Other ways to say it
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