Which word meaning 'expert' or 'aficionado', is taken from the colour of the coats worn by 19th century New York firemen?
Buff (colour) would neither put on arms [armour] or buff coat the day of the battle". Such buff leather was suitable for "buffing" or serving as a "buffer" between polished objects. It is not clear which bovine ""buffalo"" referred to, but it may not have been any of the animals called "buffalo" today. The word "buff" meaning "enthusiast" or "expert" (US English) derives from the colour "buff", specifically from the buff-coloured uniform facings of 19th-century New York City volunteer firemen, who inspired partisan followers among particularly keen fire watchers. "In the buff", today meaning naked, originally applied to English soldiers wearing the
New York Leader (19th century) New York Leader (19th century) The New York Leader (1855–1871) was a literary weekly newspaper published in New York City, and also the organ of city's political power, Tammany Hall. Charles G. Halpine became part owner and principal editor of the paper in 1856. From 1861 until his death in 1864, it was edited by John Clancy. After "The Saturday Press" stopped publishing in 1860, a number of its former contributors wrote for the "Leader", including Henry Clapp, Ada Clare, and other New York bohemians. Walt Whitman also contributed using the pseudonym "Velsor Brush". The literary bent of the paper