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oofless

British slang, now mostly historical, meaning flat broke, skint, or seriously short of cash.

ˈufləs76 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
🇬🇧 British & Irish slang
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UK
#1·Apr 28, 2026UK

British slang, now mostly historical, meaning flat broke, skint, or seriously short of cash. If you're oofless, your wallet is empty and your bank account is painful to look at. The word derives from 'oof', which was Victorian-era slang for money. Being oofless was the natural opposite — having none of the stuff. While the term has faded from everyday use, it's a colourful piece of old London English with a pleasing ring to it.

Can't come to the pub tonight, mate — completely oofless until payday on Friday.
Origin: Derived from 'oof' or 'ooftish', Victorian and Edwardian slang for money (possibly from Yiddish 'oyf tish', meaning 'on the table'). 'Oofless' simply meant without money. Editorial expansion authored on Slangora (model-assisted, hedged).
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UK
#2·Apr 27, 2026UK

(UK, slang) Short of money; poor.

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UK and Irish slang — Cockney, Scouse, Geordie, Yorkshire, Glaswegian, Brummie, Welsh, West Country, plus Irish English. Centuries of regional dialects feeding into modern British and Irish street talk.

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