A not-quite affectionate term for negroes in the late 19th to early 20th century. Popularized in the cakewalk song "Whistling Roofus." Usage in this manner dropped off after the 1920's.
(Lyrics to Whistling Rufus)
This nigger would go to a ball or a party,
Rainy weather or shine,
And when he got there was a handsome nigger
After the chicken and the wine.
And when he got through with the chicken and the wine,
Then he whistled and he sung so grand
That they thought the angels' harps was a-playing.
And they called him the one-band man.
(Chorus): Don't make no blunder, they couldn't lose him,
For perfect wonder they had to choose him;
A great musician with a high position
Was whistling Rufus, the one-band man.
This nigger would go to a ball or a party,
Rainy weather or shine,
And when he got there was a handsome nigger
After the chicken and the wine.
And when he got through with the chicken and the wine,
Then he whistled and he sung so grand
That they thought the angels' harps was a-playing.
And they called him the one-band man.
(Chorus): Don't make no blunder, they couldn't lose him,
For perfect wonder they had to choose him;
A great musician with a high position
Was whistling Rufus, the one-band man.
by obnostic March 27, 2010
by T-Dog Jenkins March 17, 2007
by Teddy Roosevelt February 22, 2003
by Dr Danger September 01, 2010
by Rusfustheblack April 21, 2009
A person who doesn’t get any bitches and is constantly rejected by everyone. He thinks very highly of himself but is disliked by everyone. Rufus can also be very nerdy.
by I am very sexy🥵🥵🥵 April 25, 2022
Guy1: Dude! a small, furry creature just crawled out of your pants! WTF?
Guy2: Man! I don't remember anything after those Roofies we took...but I must have gotten myself a rufus!
Guy3: You must have caught the Crumps!
Guy2: Man! I don't remember anything after those Roofies we took...but I must have gotten myself a rufus!
Guy3: You must have caught the Crumps!
by the triple threat gang March 21, 2008