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Where does the word "bluff" come from? It comes from Dutch bluffen, and was adopted directly into English (1800s).
Read the full story
Where does the word "bluff" come from? It comes from Dutch bluffen, and was adopted directly into English (1800s).
Bluff’s story begins in Dutch: bluffen meant “to boast, brag.” Meaning "to boast" or "brag". It reached English by 1800s as bluff. Adopted especially through American card-game slang. Today, bluff means to deceive someone by pretending confidence or strength one does not have.
- Stage 1 · Dutch · medieval bluffen "to boast, brag", meaning "to boast" or "brag".
- Stage 2 · English · 1800s bluff "to deceive by a false show of confidence", adopted especially through American card-game slang.