boffins

Noun

boffin (plural boffins)

1. (Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, UK, informal) An engineer or scientist, especially one engaged in technological or military research.
   • In fact, a fighting friend of mine said that he could hardly walk in any direction in this war without tumbling over a scientist who had got in the way. In the Royal Air Force, where the concentration of scientists is perhaps greatest, they have a pet name for them. They call them “Boffins.” Why, I...[1942 February 3, Henry T[homas] Tizard, “Parliamentary and Scientific Committee. Luncheon.”, in Journal of the Institute of Petroleum, volume 28, number 219, London: The Institute of Petroleum...

   Synonyms:

   backroom boy

2. (Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, UK, broadly, informal) A person with specialized knowledge or skills, especially one who is socially awkward.
   • — Well, last year I used to have a friend Charley [Charley was in the top sets for English, mathematics and French] but this year he doesn't speak to me any more and every time I see him he's hanging around with boffins like. When I go round to his house, now and again, he's always got his 'O'...1995, John Abraham, “Organizational Differentiation and Polarization: Setting, Social Class and Pupil Values”, in Divide and School: Gender and Class Dynamics in Comprehensive Education, London...

   Synonyms:

   brain, brainiac, egghead, bright spark, geek, nerd, Poindexter, propeller head, shrewd article, smart cookie

   1. (Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, UK, broadly, informal) an intellectual; a smart person.