piffv.
/pɪf/, U.S. /pɪf/ rare.
intransitive with away. To blow, play (on a flute).
ΚΠ
1912 W. Deeping Sincerity xi. 88 Just to see Mr. Chipperton piff away at that flute of his.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2006; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
piffint.n.
/pɪf/, U.S. /pɪf/α. 1700s– piff.
β. 1700s piff-pauff, 1800s piff-paff, 1900s– piff-poff.
Representing the sound of a short, abrupt displacement or passage of air as caused by the flight of a bullet, a small explosion, an expression of contempt, etc. Also as n.: an instance of this. Cf. phut n. Also piff-paff, piff-poff, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > continuous or protracted sound > sibilant sound > [interjection] > whizz
piff1654
zip1678
whizz1812
phit1838
whee-oh1915
1654 J. Crandon Mr. Baxters Aphorisms Exorized & Anthorized i. viii. 71 The authority of Scriptures is pufft from him with less then a piff or pish.
1752 W. Chaigneau Hist. Jack Connor I. 116 When he was ask'd, why he spoke not better English, he always answer'd..‘I avé live dans Londres no more as Forty Year, but avec de Time, me sal avé de Conversation, Piff—Paff—so well as Monsieur me lor Meré.’
1775 D. Garrick Bon Ton 8 Present, fire, piff-pauff—'tis done.
1876 G. W. Thornbury Hist. & Legendary Ballads & Songs 133 Then he came at me; the dogs like chaff He scattered; again I went piff-paff!
1933 ‘G. Orwell’ Down & Out iv. 30 And then, piff! the Revolution—every penny gone.
2001 Arizona Republic (Nexis) 25 Dec. (Living section) e2 You can hear from which direction the bullets come, as well as the ‘piff’ when they hit the concrete or wood around you.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2006; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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v.1912int.n.1654