duffer n. 1.a. a foolish, enept, or objectionable person; (now esp.) a foolish or objectionalbe old man; (rarely) a fellow. [ The British sense, 'a worthless, exp. counterfeit item', ...........

b. Horse Racing 1880 N.Y. Clipper Almanac 44: Duffer. - A horse which loses heart or refuses to exert himself during a race.

c. Golf. an unskillful player

duffer2n. [prob. alter. of duff, dial. pronun. of dough; cf. S.E. duff 'boiled or steamed flour pudding'] Hobo a piece of bread; bread; (occ. bread and coffee.

Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang Vol I, Random House, New York, 1994 J.E. Lighter - editor.

Sincerely
Gargoyle