What is the meaning of: "Off The Cuff Comment"?

Answer 1

Several have stated the correct meaning - "not prepared in advance, impromptu" (used especially of making comments/remarks, even a full speech)
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/off-the-cuff

But WHY do people say it? Where did the expression come from?

Apparently from situations such as speakers being asked without advance warning (e.g., at a dinner) to make some remarks, who supposedly would jot a few quick notes on their shift cuffs, and speak from those (rather than from a written out text or notes brought with them).
http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/31/messages/79.html
http://www.word-detective.com/072302.html

Answer 2

Hi As has been stated above this means without preparation. This phrase seems to come from the the notion that bar tenders at the turn of the century used to keep track of the tabs being used by their customers by marking the heavily starched cuffs of their shirts. In this way the could at a glace recall the exact amount owed by the patrons who had tabs "off the cuff" without any recourse to other records. It may also bee from the 1930s when people used to public speak made notes on their shirt cuffs to remind them of principle ideas but I think this may be incorrect as it would look odd if some one is speaking at a large gathering if they keep looking at their sleeves before they spoke and also this would not allow for very long speeches. Hope this helps

Answer 3

not made up....spur of the moment. Long time ago, gentlemen used their "cuffs" to wipe their faces after eating or drinking because they needed something quick and accessible. In modern times this is used loosely to represent quick response, not made up or rehearsed

Answer 4

If I were a reporter, and I were interviewing you, I would not publish the "Off the cuff comment". Sometimes people will say this is "off the record", means the same thing.

Answer 5

hi! i am just copied from other site..just see it once..

with little or no preparation or forethought; "his ad-lib comments showed poor judgment"; "an extemporaneous piano recital"; "an extemporary lecture"; "an extempore skit"; "an impromptu speech"; "offhand excuses"; "trying to sound offhanded and reassuring"; "an off-the-cuff toast"; "a few unrehearsed comments" ad-lib, extemporaneous, extemporary, extempore, impromptu, offhand, offhanded, unrehearsed
unprepared - without preparation; not prepared for; "unprepared remarks"; "the shock was unprepared"; "our treaty makers approached their immensely difficult problems unprepared", if you want more then check this link..i.e. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/off-the-cuff
... ok na..bye

Answer 6

It's an expression referring to an uninformed and quick decision made on the spur of the moment with no facts to back it up with.

Answer 7

i see you all ready have a few good answers and i would have to say spur of the moment myself but to tell you the truth i have not heard nobody say that comment in awhile but you have some good answers put out there and i hope at least one of them helps you good luck bye

Answer 8

a comment made without thinking about it before hand

Answer 9

It means to say something spontaneously without thinking it through.