[An ascribed Welsh pronunciation of Davy or David, in Welsh Dafydd.] A familiar nickname for a Welshman: cf. Paddy, Sawney, etc.
a. 1700. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, Taffy, a Welshman or David. Taffy’s Day, the first of March.
1708. Brit. Apollo, No. 98. 2/2. Welch-men are called Taffies from the Corruption of the word David.
1893. Sun, 26 July, 2/7. Cheers echoed over the Surrey hills when it was known that for the first time a Taffy had gained the Queen’s.
