It's used humorously to gently mock someone who is clearly lost or confused, and it's often said in a playful or ironic way.
The phrase is believed to have originated from the fact that the word "toffee" is a bit tricky to spell, especially for those who are not familiar with British English. So, if someone is struggling to spell a simple word like "toffee," they are likely to be quite clueless in other areas as well.
Here are some examples of how the phrase might be used:
* "You think you can beat me at chess? You spell for toffee, you'll lose in five moves!"
* "I asked him to explain quantum physics, and he just stared at me blankly. He really does spell for toffee."
* "They're trying to run the company? They spell for toffee, they'll bankrupt it in a month!"