What does 'where the chuff' mean?

[Robin Orton]

When I google it, all I get is the thread on this forum.

[Rachael]

'Chuff' used to replace stronger expletives where appropriate. As in 'chuffing hell...', where 'chuff' replaces the common expletive beginning with F. It's something I hear in conversation and in the media quite a lot, though not often written down.

[Robin Orton]

Thanks, Rachael, But I got the impression from my researches that 'chuff' itself might be a rather vulgar word. Would it, for example, be acceptable if I were to ask my devout and quite strait-laced great-aunt, 'Where the chuff did I leave my rosary?'?

[leenewham]

You are both right.

It's a polite euphemism used to replace a popular expletive, but also means •••• or ••••• or •••••••

So here are my guidelines for usage of the word chuff if any of us ever get to meet Robins great aunt:

Where the chuff did I leave my rosary? (possibly ok and may raise a smile).
I have a problem with my chuff (probably not ok but may raise a smile if it's said by a man).

[Robin Orton]

So here are my guidelines for usage of the word chuff if any of us ever get to meet Robins grey aunt:

I doubt whether you will. She lives in Frinton and is too busy (running the local Union of Catholic Great-Aunts, doing Ruby Murray tribute acts in the local working men's clubs, breeding pit bull terriers) to travel very much.

[stuart]

Would you say she is chuffed or unchuffed with her new MP? Albeit a darker shade of her former MP.
And I don't mean grey

Stuart

[Robin Orton]

Very chuffed. She says that nowadays you can walk down Frinton High Street without hearing a word of English spoken! And apparently there's a mosque on every street corner!

[14BradfordRoad]

Don't know so much about 'Where the chuff' or background for this particular phrase. I believe it's urban language, so has many different interpretations.'Chuffed' used to be an expression meaning thrilled (or at least it did in old money), for instance 'Chuffed to bits'..

This Urban dictionary, although unofficial, might prove to be handy online tool in cases like this:
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.p ... ed+to+bits

[Eagle]

Maybe it originates from the good old days of steam locos.

Chuff chuff etc etc.

What would The Venerable Bede made of it.

[14BradfordRoad]

Maybe it originates from the good old days of steam locos.

Chuff chuff etc etc.

What would The Venerable Bede made of it.

You could be right Eagle. Our language is very strange at times.

[somerandombloke]

I always thought chuff was a nice word for that word that one not supposed to use in polite societyespecially in front of ladies. You know the one it rhymes with hunt. And berk is the rhyming slang for it.

[Nigel]

My only use of chuff seems to suggest arse - as in " he's as tight as a gnat's chuff" implying lack of generosity, or stingy .
A very good morning
Nigel

[leenewham]

I thought it was something a train did.