Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun British Slang.
- a scientist or technical expert.
noun
- British informal a scientist, esp one carrying out military research
- a person who has extensive skill or knowledge in a particular fielda Treasury boffin
- informal someone who is considered to be very clever, often to the exclusion of all non-academic interests
“person engaged in innovative research,” especially in aviation, 1945; earlier “elderly naval officer” (1941), probably from one of the “Mr. Boffins” of English literature (e.g. “Our Mutual Friend”).