On ruffs and other stuffs
Created | Updated Mar 19, 2006
A ruff can be defined as a frilled collar. It may be made from fine material, it may also be stiff so that it stands out from the neck. A ruff is a close relative of the ruffle, which is a gathered trim. In fact, it may be said that a ruff is a neck ruffle. It may also be said that a ruffle is a ruff, once removed from the neck. Neither of these two decorative items must be confused with a ruffian, which is a kind of man often disinclined to wear such finery. The ruff sounds very similar to rough, a term not often descriptive of a ruff, and more often descriptive of a ruffian. If care is taken, these concepts will become clear with practice.
