1654. Chapman, Revenge for Honour, I., i.
Then for accoutrements you wear the buff,
As you believed it heresy to change
For linen: surely most of yours is spent
In lint.
1749. H. Fitzcotton, Homer, I., 38. If you perplex me with your
stuff—All that are here shan’t save your buff. [M.]
1760. Johnston, Chrysal, II., 235. ‘I have got as many clothes and
things of all kinds as would serve to set up a Monmouth-street
merchant: if the place had held out but a few days longer, the poor
devils must have done duty in their buff; ha! ha! ha!’ ‘And the
properest dress for them,’ returned the admiral; ‘who wants any
clothes in such a climate as this?’
1824. Hughes, Magic Lay of the One-horse Chay (Blackwood). When our
pair were soused enough, and returned in their buff.
1856. H. Mayhew, Gt. World of London, p. 223. ‘There’s a fine young
chap there, stript to the buff, and working away hard!’
1872. C. King, Sierra Nev., viii., 176. Stripping ourselves to the
buff, we hung up our steaming clothes. [M.]