See also: arf and ARF

English edit

Etymology edit

A representation of the pronunciation of half by a speaker whose dialect is non-rhotic and also lacks the voiceless glottal fricative or transition ([h]).

Noun edit

'arf

  1. (British, representing nonstandard or dialect pronunciation, especially Cockney) Half.
    • 1894, Arthur Conan Doyle, Round the Red Lamp:
      'Arf the night through he's at that game, the silly old juggins.
    • 1914, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Tarzan of the Apes:
      Hasn't ye 'eard that devil's spawn of a capting an' is mates knockin' the bloomin' lights outen 'arf the crew?

Anagrams edit