Muff

Muff is a term with several distinct meanings in English, encompassing a warm hand covering, a fielding error in sports, and a type of guitar effects pedal. Context determines which sense is being used.

A muff is a cylindrical covering worn around the hands to keep them warm, typically open at both ends. Traditionally made from fur or woolen fabric, it was a common fashion accessory for women in the 18th through early 20th centuries. Modern use is largely ceremonial or decorative, with several designs retaining historical forms.

In baseball and cricket, a muff is a misplayed ball; the verb “to muff” means to mishandle a relatively easy play. The term can apply to any clumsy error in handling or performing a task, and it is used in various sports and colloquial contexts.

In music, a muff refers to a type of electronic effect that produces fuzz or muffled distortion. The most famous example is the Big Muff Pi by Electro-Harmonix, released in the late 1960s. It became associated with rock and alternative scenes for its distinctive, gritty tone, and has inspired numerous imitators and evolutions in guitar effects.

Other uses of the word are limited and context-dependent, but the three senses described—hand warmer, fielding error, and guitar effect—cover the core, commonly encountered meanings of muff.