Is Codswallop a real word?

Asked by: Jane Garcia

Where did the term codswallop originate?

A frequently given etymology, although widely rejected as a folk etymology, derives it from Hiram Codd, British soft drink maker of the 1870s, known for the eponymous Codd-neck bottle, with the suggestion that codswallop is a derisive term for soft drinks by beer drinkers, from Codd’s + wallop (“beer (slang)”) “Codd’s …

Is codswallop a slang term?

One of the words in the appeal (and later in the series) was codswallop, which had made its first appearance in the OED in the supplementary volume published in 1972, in which it was recorded as a slang word meaning ‘nonsense, drivel’.

When was the word codswallop first used?

1959

First attested in 1959, codswallop appears to be a relatively young term, perhaps originating from from wallop (beer), and cod in one of its various senses, perhaps “testicles.” (As in a codpiece.) A 1966 citation in the Oxford English Dictionary spells it cod’s wallop.

Is poppycock an old word?

Poppycock, an older term for codswallop (though not as old as the 17th-century balderdash, a silly mixture of liquids like milk and ale), comes in lots rather than loads.

What does codswallop mean in the UK?

nonsense

Definition of codswallop
British, informal. : words or ideas that are foolish or untrue : nonsense The notion that Scott was waylaid by bad luck is “a lot of codswallop,” said Roland Huntford, a British historian.—

Is Cattywampus a word?

Cattywampus is a variant of catawampus, another example of grand 19th century American slang. In addition to “askew” catawampus may refer to “an imaginary fierce wild animal,” or may mean “savage, destructive.”

What does cobs wallop mean?

‘Cods’ is a euphemism for testicles (as in cod-piece), and ‘Wallop’, a euphemism for beer. It was a humorous term for ‘piss’, and by transference came to mean ‘rubbish’.

What is a poppycock meaning?

nonsense

Definition of poppycock
: empty talk or writing : nonsense.

Where does the saying poppycock come from?

Poppycock means nonsense, rubbish, something that is ridiculous or nonsensical. Poppycock comes to us from Dutch immigrants to America who brought with them the word pappekak, which reputedly means soft dung. As one may imagine, the term lost its original dung meaning in its transformation into the word poppycock.

What does balderdash mean?

senseless, stupid

noun. senseless, stupid, or exaggerated talk or writing; nonsense. Obsolete. a muddled mixture of liquors.

Where did the word tommyrot originate?

1884, from tommy in sense of “a simpleton” (1829), diminutive of Tom (as in tom-fool) + rot (n.).

What is the meaning of malarkey in English?

insincere or foolish talk

Definition of malarkey
: insincere or foolish talk : bunkum He thinks that everything politicians say is a bunch of malarkey.

What is this Tom Foolery?

Definition of tomfoolery

: playful or foolish behavior.

What does it mean to be full of blarney?

noun. flattering or wheedling talk; cajolery. deceptive or misleading talk; nonsense; hooey: a lot of blarney about why he was broke.

Is Malarkey an Irish word?

According to Oxford Dictionaries, malarkey is “meaningless talk; nonsense,” it came into use in the 1920s and its specific origin is unknown. There is an Irish name — Mullarkey. But a connection from the name to the word hasn’t been established.

Where does the word shenanigans come from?

Etymologists say it might come from the Irish “sionnachuighim,” meaning “I play the fox,” or the Spanish “chanada” or the German “Schenigelei,” both of which mean “trick.” Whatever its origins, “shenanigans” now has a decidedly Hibernian tinge to it, which probably explains why it’s the name of at least half a dozen …

Is Mullarkey an Irish name?

The Irish Mullarkey surname comes from the Gaelic “ó Maoilearca,” a patronymic meaning a descendant of Maoilearca, a follower of St. Earc.

What does Cockamaine mean?

Definition of cockamamie

: ridiculous, incredible some cockamamie idea/story of all the cockamamy excuses I ever heard— Leo Rosten.

Is cockamamie a Yiddish?

Although the word was adapted by Jewish immigrants in New York City to refer to transferable decals, it comes from French décalcomania. Cockamamie, or cockamamy, is now used to describe something wacky or ridiculous, and it’s often heard among those familiar with Yiddish.

Is cockamamie a real word?

cockamamie (adj.)

“mixed-up, ridiculous, implausible,” American English slang word attested by 1946, popularized c. 1960, but said to be New York City children’s slang from mid-1920s; perhaps an alteration of decalcomania (see decal).

What’s the origin of the word cockamamie?

The first known use of cockamamie as an adjective comes from the 1942 film Woman of the Year, the first to pair Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn. (One red herring is a 1921 blues song called “Kiss Your Pretty Baby Nice” sung by Ethel Waters.

What does it mean to be reticent?

Definition of reticent

1 : inclined to be silent or uncommunicative in speech : reserved. 2 : restrained in expression, presentation, or appearance the room has an aspect of reticent dignity— A. N. Whitehead.

What does Per say mean?

Per se is a Latin phrase literally meaning “by itself.” It has the sense of “intrinsically,” or “in and of itself.” In everyday speech, it’s commonly used to distinguish between two related ideas, as in, “He’s not a sports fan per se, but he likes going to basketball games.”

What is a synonym for cockamamie?

dotty, insane, kooky. (also kookie), loony.

What is the synonym for preposterous?

Words related to preposterous

absurd, crazy, excessive, fantastic, foolish, impossible, incredible, insane, irrational, laughable, ludicrous, nonsensical, outrageous, senseless, shocking, silly, stupid, unbelievable, unreasonable, unthinkable.