Calling all mums of teens....

[abroad]

I am writing an essay on the word 'boffin' (don't ask)...I need to try to find out if the word is still in use with todays youth. Do any of you hear your teen children using the word? And if so in what context...
Do any of you mums/dads still use the word?
Any responses would really really help! Thank you in advance!

I'm 25 and don't think I have ever used the word. Would be too old-fashioned for me.

DO not have teen though.

ds(14) says it's never used. reminds me of the tefal boffins

I have a 14 yr old and I've never hard him say it. I also asked him if he says boffin and he said "What does that mean?"

My 13 year-old son says "Yes, obviously to describe someone clever!"

My 15 year-old says "If someone's really geeky and you want to take the piss, you call them boffin - but it is friendly, not mean."

Just asked dd and friend - they've both heard the word and says its used to describe a brainy person.

DS1 (19) says it means someone who is an expert on something, possibly a bit obsessive, he says he would use the word but maybe is not typical

Ds says it is someone who looks smart, acts smart and tries to be smart in lessons, he says it's commonly used here. Maybe it's a regional thing.

should add it's not a word I'd use, to me it carries a connotation of science=obscure, wierd and too difficult for us mere mortals! (I'm late 40s)(argh! late 40s! Nooo!)

We used it at school ('during the war' as ds would, no doubt say) but, we shortened it to boff.

My ds uses it a lot. Boffs are clever and...well...anoraky I suppose. Uber-boffs are even worse!!

I teach in his school (worse for me than him, beleive me!) and all the kids say it. It describes someone who is naturally clever and does well, although mainly applied to boys....

When I was at school, to boff meant to fart!!

ds agrees, boffin is someone clever..

dd13 'massive nerd - know it all'

ds15.5 'knows everything'

dcs both use it along the same lines as geek or nerd.

my 14 yo dd1 says "boff" to describe what we used to call a swot, ie: someone who actually does schoolwork. She is aware of the word "boffin" and is of the opinion that "boff" comes from "boffin" but "boffin" itself is never used.

DS has used it in the past to annoy his brother-as in clever but very derogatory.

dd 12 says no not in usual situations but knows waht it means and thinks her uncle is one

ds, 14 says its another name for nerdy clever type

DS1 (14) says it is used and in fact I've heard him use it to describe a friend.

DS2 (nearly 15) knows what it means (genius/scientist) but doesn't use it.

Wow Thank you all so much this is a massive help!!!

Its boff nowadays

Used at dd's school to mean swotty nerd

My nearly-teen says no-one ever uses it and claims to doubt its existence.

maybe there are no boffs at your dc's school threadw

My dd says boffs are not cool

DS1 agrees that boffins are not cool, and adds that they are usually socially inept!

Just asked my DSs (18 and 16) and both said it was a word for a brainy person, but not one they use.