General
naff omi
What does naff omi mean?
From the same 'naff' that survives in mainstream British English meaning tacky or uncool, popularised later by Princess Anne's 'naff off'.
"That whole cod, naff crowd — let's troll somewhere bona."
Origin
Polari of mid-20th-century Britain; 'naff' (dreary, no good) is of disputed origin — the 'not available for...' acronym is folk etymology — and 'naff omi' is recorded in Polari usage discussed by Paul Baker.
Frequently asked questions
What does naff omi mean?
It is Polari for a dull, unappealing or unavailable man.
Does naff stand for 'not available for...'?
That popular acronym is folk etymology; the real origin of 'naff' is uncertain.
Is this the same 'naff' as 'naff off'?
Yes — the same 'naff' meaning tacky or no-good, later famous from Princess Anne's 'naff off'.
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