sunsetjim 0 #1 April 11, 2004 Hey all, Talking to a whuffo friend about skydiving - she asked me what "biff" means. I know it means . . . well, "biff" - but that didn't really answer her question. Anyone know where that term comes from? Thanks in advance. Blues, Jim Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
talon1206 0 #2 April 11, 2004 it means to fuck something up....i biffed my landing....i fucked up my landing. "Pilots without Maintainers are just pedestrians with cool jackets and sunglasses" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 3 #3 April 11, 2004 Onomatopoeiaquade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
darkwing 4 #4 April 11, 2004 I use it to mean "hit the ground hard" It can be a synonym for the verb "femur", but femur is a subset of biff. All femurs are biffs, but not all biffs are femurs. -- Jeff My Skydiving History Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunsetjim 0 #5 April 11, 2004 Thanks Quade and everyone, I know what it means - I guess my question really was "why does biff mean to f**k up and hit the ground hard"? Is it simply onomatopaeia, or is there some other etymology of the word as well? Thanks again Jim Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 3 #6 April 11, 2004 No. I'm almost certain it comes from the sound of a skydiver impacting the ground.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mrhoop 0 #7 April 11, 2004 To me it is a nonstanding parachute landing that you can hear from a distance. A "biff" is usually associated with a crappy PLF. I do remember it was also a guys name on Back To The Future. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dumpster 0 #8 April 11, 2004 "Biff"could be used alot of ways - My interpretation is a botched landing complete with a spectacular tumble, but the person gets up and is OK. Maybe a minor bruise or scratch but otherwise none the worse. Easy Does It Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChasingBlueSky 0 #9 April 11, 2004 I don't know about you guys - but I had heard of the term before I started skydiving._________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vertifly 0 #10 April 11, 2004 QuoteOnomatopoeia Nice one Quade, I remember learning that from like 8th grade. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
headoverheels 291 #11 April 11, 2004 A biff is a punch, like in boxing. Those of us old enough to have seen the Batman shows on television 35 or so years ago saw this word superimposed over fight scenes. Like "snivel" the word has taken on a somewhat different meaning in the skydiving realm. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SublimeBreeze 0 #12 April 11, 2004 QuoteI don't know about you guys - but I had heard of the term before I started skydiving. Yeah we used it when we were kids and it was basically any crash, bikes / skateboards / just falling down. Sean Sean In Thailand Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #13 April 11, 2004 snivel is a good one. Looked it up at dictionary.com: HERE. Not even CLOSE to how we use it. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
headoverheels 291 #14 April 11, 2004 Quotesnivel is a good one. Looked it up at dictionary.com: HERE. Not even CLOSE to how we use it. Dave I see meaning two as being the meaning that was warped for skydiving. The canopy is whining around, then finally opens. Used to be a "bad thing." Now considered a "good thing" as it implies a softer opening. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
darkwing 4 #15 April 11, 2004 I tried to find the etymology of "biff" and didn't find anything useful. Certainly the word has a history going back to the early 1900's, and my father and grandfather used it in the phrase "biff you in the chops" which meant a punch in the mouth. Maybe I'll remember to look it up in the OED (Oxford English Dictionary) and report back. The dictionary.com definition "to strike or punch" is consistent with my father's use, and a very plausible antecedent for the skydiving usage. -- Jeff My Skydiving History Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
damion75 0 #16 April 12, 2004 QuoteI don't know about you guys - but I had heard of the term before I started skydiving. I know what it means in the UK Army - it is an abbreviation, but very rude and I don't think this is the site for it!!*************** Not one shred of evidence supports the theory that life is serious - look at the platypus. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
3ringheathen 0 #17 April 12, 2004 It's been around longer than jumping has. Paul is right about it being an oh-know-plf-ahh word. I turned it into an acronym several years ago: Boredom Induced Facial Fracture. I broke my nose at the dropzone, but not jumping. I brewed a boatload of BIFF bitter that winter. Tasty, and it made great xmas presents, though technically, it was an India Pale Ale, not a bitter. -Josh If you have time to panic, you have time to do something more productive. -Me* *Ron has accused me of plagiarizing this quote. He attributes it to Douglas Adams. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChasingBlueSky 0 #18 April 12, 2004 go ahead and say it_________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
damion75 0 #19 April 12, 2004 No fear! It relates to a derogatory term for women in the British Army... I would get flamed out of existence explaining it on here*************** Not one shred of evidence supports the theory that life is serious - look at the platypus. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstime 0 #20 April 12, 2004 How about "BOINK" you can find it in my log book on many pages. Thanks Bill @ SDLI. LMAO Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumperconway 0 #21 April 12, 2004 "Butt in front" landing such as the term used for woman with a pooch gut Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Harksaw 0 #22 April 12, 2004 Quote A biff is a punch, like in boxing. Those of us old enough to have seen the Batman shows on television 35 or so years ago saw this word superimposed over fight scenes. Like "snivel" the word has taken on a somewhat different meaning in the skydiving realm. That's what I always thought it came from, the old Batman fight scenes. BIFF! BAM! POW! SMACK!__________________________________________________ I started skydiving for the money and the chicks. Oh, wait. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrunkMonkey 0 #23 April 12, 2004 At my DZ, we agree it stands for "Basically, I Forgot Form." Just my $0.02... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TXBLKBEAR 0 #24 April 12, 2004 Come on Damion..... We are all waiting Man up You can do it. Airborne! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mathias 0 #25 April 14, 2004 In swedish it means "steak" yep that's right a piece of meat! MIngen minns en fegis! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
