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What is the meaning of the term "riff off"?

Question #68952. Asked by uclageographer.

Related Trivia Topics: Linguistics  
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zbeckabee
Answer has 5 votes
zbeckabee
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19 year member
11752 replies avatar

Answer has 5 votes.
One definition of a riff is a short rhythmic phrase, especially one that is repeated in improvisation.

When one person plays a riff you can then "riff off" of his riff.

Whales do this often in their "singing."

Jul 28 2006, 12:41 PM
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kathyr_1
Answer has 7 votes
Currently Best Answer
kathyr_1 avatar

Answer has 7 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.
riff off was originally a jazz term meaning "to borrow and elaborate on" as opposed to rip off which is to steal

Jul 28 2006, 2:50 PM
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