> > > > > > > who is the gaffer?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > The gaffer is the master electrician.
> > > > >
> > > > > Howard, this term probably comes
> from Gaff tape, which is used to hold
> extension cords
> > > > > together and hold plugs to the wall
> outlet (at least in live theater, I can only
> assume that
> > > > > the uses are the same in film).
> >
> > More likely the other way around - i.e. it's
> called gaff(er) tape because the gaffer uses it.
> >
> > > According to the IMDB's glossary, gaffer
> meant "old man" in Early Modern English.
> Dunno how
> > > reliable that is though.
> >
> > It's true. "Gaffer" is a corruption of "good
> father" or summat, I believe.
> > Whether it's helpful is another matter. Is the
> chief electrician that type of gaffer? If so, why?
> >
> > Pa"duck tape"ul
>
> Has anyone ever seen a "gaffing hook"? It's a
> long wooden pole with a metal hook on the
> end. A fisherman "gaffs" a fish; he slips the
> hook into a large fish's gill and pulls the fish
> onto his ship.
>
> In the early days of silent film, the first
> attempts at lighting were very crude. Two
> poles were set up with a wire strung between
> them. Lights were hung from the wire. A man
> used a fisherman's gaffing hook to slide the
> lights left or right. This man became known as
> the gaffer, named after the tool he used.
>
> From that time on, lighting designers have
> been called gaffers. The tape they use was
> formerly called gaffer's tape, now shortened to
> gaff tape.
>
> So the term does not come from the name of
> the tape; the term comes from a fishhook!
>
> Michael

I can't remember....Did we ever identify the Grip and the Key Grip? And the Best Boy? It's been a long time since this was discussed.

Is gaff tape anything like duct tape, aka "duck tape?"
Howard