Comments on: Skiff

By: B. Graham

B. Graham — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 17:05:59 +0000

YES! I just used the term “skiff” of snow, wondered about its origin, looked it up, and found only the boat definition. I grew up in Iowa and the term was used by everyone. I am glad I found this posting as I was starting to wonder if it was one of those words I had misheard over the years and it really didn’t exist.

By: Dot McQueen

Dot McQueen — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 14:38:58 +0000

I’m from Edinburgh in the East Coast of Scotland and talk about a skifter of snow meaning a very light covering. My husband, who is also from Edinburgh, thinks I made it up as he’s never heard the word!!

And BTW, we have a skifter of snow this morning for the first time this year.

Cheers.

By: First Snowfall | the Knobby Knitter

First Snowfall | the Knobby Knitter — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 16:47:07 +0000

[...] the first snowfall of the year. It’s just a skiff mind you, and it’s already melting. Time to get back to work on the Boneyard shawl… [...]

By: October 26, a skiff of snow « SCB Citizen

October 26, a skiff of snow « SCB Citizen — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 03:46:52 +0000

[...] had to turn to the Word Detective for an answer. “a ‘skiff’ of snow is a light flurry or cover of snow, but you can [...]

By: Jeff W.

Jeff W. — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 15:19:43 +0000

The way I heard it was, “If if were a skiff, we could hop in and sail away.” That goes back to roughly 40 years ago, so I have no idea where I saw or heard it.

By: A. Junius

A. Junius — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 23:36:48 +0000

Does anyone know the saying that goes “If if were a skiff, we’d be paddling on the river,” or something similar to this?

By: Ratatouille and a Gray Winter Day

Ratatouille and a Gray Winter Day — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 08:08:41 +0000

[...] native Californian eyes are looking out on a gray world with a skiff of snow on the ground from a few lazy flakes drifting from the sky, adding to the thick heavy [...]

By: waxxod

waxxod — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 15:27:11 +0000

If you take a swipe at a football and barely touch it, you’d say you’d skiffed it, at least in the part of East Scotland where I grew up.

By: KayeM

KayeM — Mon, 03 May 2010 03:07:59 +0000

I was pleased to find your article and also the comment left by L.Owens. I’m from eastern Canada and my Maine born husband thought I was crazy – he’d never heard the term “skiff” except as type of small boat.
“It must be a Canadian thing” was his response. A little internet research showed me the word’s Scottish origins and since the Scots have made their way to many parts of the world including the U.S. it’s obviously not just a “Canadianism”. (Hubby is low on the Scottish blood himself so I will excuse his lack of knowledge). Many thanks!

By: L.Owens

L.Owens — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 16:22:11 +0000

Growing up in a Midwest family with Origins of german and welch a skiff of snow was used as a light dusting (1″ OR LESS).