Ethymology of the word "goof"

[Martinus]

I remember some time ago we were discussing whether the word "goof" comes from and I think there wasn't a satisfactory answer.

So, reading recently on Jewish mysticism and Qabalah, I came across the word "guph" or "guf" (pronounced similar to "goof") which refers to the lowest, basest part of existence, essentially a soulless, dumbest body (it is below animalistic insticts, and way below intellect, not to mention higher spiritual planes of existence, such as spirit or soul).

Think there may be a relation here? 

[The Brain]

OK Madonna.

[Brazen]

More likely the English dialect word goff, meaning simpleton, derived from the Middle French goffe meaning awkward or stupid.

Given that there are a lot of French words in English but not many kabbalistic ones.

[Martinus]

More likely the English dialect word goff, meaning simpleton, derived from the Middle French goffe meaning awkward or stupid.

Given that there are a lot of French words in English but not many kabbalistic ones.

Could be all have the same root, though.

[garbon]

OK Madonna.

Bitch, I'm Madonna.

[The Brain]

OK Madonna.

Bitch, I'm Madonna.

I love you baby but face it, she's Madonna.

[Martinus]

 

[garbon]

OK Madonna.

Bitch, I'm Madonna.

I love you baby but face it, she's Madonna.

Fair play though really, no need to quote that singer.

[Razgovory]

More likely the English dialect word goff, meaning simpleton, derived from the Middle French goffe meaning awkward or stupid.

Given that there are a lot of French words in English but not many kabbalistic ones.

Could be all have the same root, though.

Probably not.  One would be a Afro-asiatic and the other Indo-European. 

1916, "stupid person," American English, perhaps a variant of English dialect goff "foolish clown" (1869), from 16c. goffe, probably from Middle French goffe "awkward, stupid," which is of uncertain origin. Or English goffe may be from Middle English goffen "speak in a frivolous manner," which is possibly from Old English gegaf "buffoonery," and gaffetung "scolding." Sense of "a blunder" is c. 1954, probably influenced by gaffe. Also compare goofer, goopher which appears in representations of U.S. black dialect from 1887 in the sense of "a curse, spell," probably from an African word.

http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=goof&allowed_in_frame=0

Kabbalism is from the high middle ages, in Spain I believe so it's unlikely to have influence middle or even Saxon English much.  And the word you are looking at is simply the Hebrew word for "body".

[Barrister]

I know I mentioned it before, but if you ever find yourself in a western Canadian prison, the worst possible thing you can call someone is a goof (or, I guess the absolute worst is a Fucking goof).

[derspiess]

Why?

[Admiral Yi]

It means kid fucker.