One of the characters comments on another's "aloofness".
It occurred to me that I had no idea as to the etymology of
"aloof".
Main Entry: 1aloof
Pronunciation: &-'lüf
Function: adverb
Etymology: obsolete aloof to windward, from 1a- + louf, luf luff
Date: circa 1540
: at a distance

Now I can't remember what sailing term "luff" means.

I believe it's when the sail flaps a bit, not being properly angled to the wind. my father-in-law is a good sailor, but even in my attempts to impress, I am not...

I always think it's better to be a loof than a lert. Who needs lerts?

And half a loof is better than none.

not to mention half-vast...