gaffer (n.)youdaoicibaDictYouDict[gaffer 词源字典]
1580s, "elderly rustic," apparently (based on continental analogies) a contraction of godfather (compare gammer). Originally a term of respect, also applied familiarly; from "old man" it was extended by 1841 to foremen and supervisors, which sense carried over in early 20c. to "electrician in charge of lighting on a film set."[gaffer etymology, gaffer origin, 英语词源]