spliffy

English

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium. Particularly: “Related to spiffing, spiffy, or even an error for the latter?”)

Adjective

spliffy (comparative more spliffy, superlative most spliffy)

1. (US, slang, archaic) fine; excellent
   • 1918, Louise Francis Spaller, Thomas Washington Shannon, Personal Help for Girls:

     I went to one of those swell dances in the pavilion on the pier, and got acquainted with two such interesting girls and three boys friends they had with them, and the bunch of us had a spliffy dinner in the casino.

   • 1999 [1911], Agnes Warren Barnes, quoting Kansas City Postcard Company, Waco, Texas A Postcard Journey, page 13:

     The message on this 1911 card reads “How spliffy! This river is safe for canoeing, as it is very shallow. The man in the picture has a case of beer on board.”

   • 1979, “We Rap More Mellow”, performed by The Younger Generation:

     [Kidd Creole] The boss talker, the spliffy walker / The woman teaser, the crowd pleaser