Boffin By Deane Barker • March 23, 2024 • Definition: British slang for scientist or researcher There are lots of ideas for etymology listed on the Wikipedia page but none is definitive. Why I Looked It Up In an article about hacking electronic truck management systems: Vulnerabilities in common Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) required in US commercial trucks could be present in over 14 million medium- and heavy-duty rigs, according to boffins at Colorado State University. The article is in The Register, which is a British publication.