Generically, the word goof is another term for a . However, the term is also used in a number of specific senses. The actual origin of the word is unknown, but several origins have been conjectured. According to Merriam-Webster, "goof" is likely a variation of "goff" in an English dialect, meaning simpleton. Some say the word may come from an identically pronounced Hebrew word meaning "body". Others believe that it was inspired by the Disney character, Goofy (though it is more likely that the character got his name from the word, not the word from the character).