Perhaps the questioner was being ironic.
The only people who use the word boffin are thick brained and lazy news
editors. It is a sure fire way of pissing off many scientists.
MK
======================
Michael Kenward
ABSW e-minder
http://www.absw.org.uk
________________________________
From: psci-com: on the public understanding of science
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Madeleine Shepherd
Sent: 02 December 2003 12:24
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] Scientists on 'Weakest Link'
A Boffin is a particular stereotype of the scientist that arose in post WW2
Britain - a obsessed, withdrawn individual but "on our side" - Not nearly as
bad a the "Mad Scientist"
see this article
http://ej.iop.org/links/q40/uJHQm5V2CYpl6D7qK1YBfw/pu7103.pdf
or the recent book "The Backroom Boys" by Francis Spufford
> Message date : Dec 02 2003, 11:32 AM
> From : Philip Strange
> To : [log in to unmask]
> Copy to :
> Subject : Re: [PSCI-COM] Scientists on 'Weakest Link'
>
what is a boffin?
> Philip
Madeleine Shepherd
Science Communicator & Photographer
[log in to unmask]
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