Etymological Note: Popularized by the British television program Only Fools and Horses, first broadcast in 1981. Possibly a blend of nance or nancy and poofter.
Citations:
1992Independent (London, U.K.) (Dec. 19) “After the courses, the Horses” p. 14: For Only Fools and Horses John Sullivan replaced the expletives of south London with a rich invented argot. Jason revelled in it, and, in a neat example of reality reflecting art, made words such as dipstick, noofter and lovely jubbly part of a real-life wide boy’s vocabulary. 2001 [Capt. Neal ] Usenet: alt.sailing.asa (June 17) “Re: Unless you live aboard”: If I’m a “plonker” then you are a “pukka noofter”! 2001 Frank O'Donnell Scotsman (Glasgow) (June 21) “Hearts Acts To Have Bigoted Website Shut”: There was also a section on the website called Noofters, which was said to stand for “Nasty Odur (sic) Obese Fenian Timmy Eejit Rubbish Scum.” 2003 [Jeef] OfficialSpin.com (Nov. 13) “Re: Is Prince Charles gay?”: Prince charle is noofter and should not be alowed within a mile of the brittish throne. 2004 Tom Lappin Scotsman (Edinburgh, Scotland) (Aug. 2) “Getting old can be a bit of a drama ”: Ray asks him pretty soon after they meet whether Jim is a “noofter."….Jim thinks he rather might be, but the writer’s deft plot spine concentrates on Ray gradually coming around to the idea that he might be as well. A homosexual affair between a couple of geriatrics across the class barrier isn’t entirely easy territory for any dramatist.