codswallop

Everyday

(informal, UK, Australia, NZ) Nonsense; something that is silly and untrue: «That's a load of codswallop!» tree →

In the lessons

It is a fun, cheeky word adults use when they think a story, excuse or claim is rubbish. It is not rude, so you might hear it from grandparents, teachers or on TV. In critical-thinking lessons it is a word for claims without evidence. Phrases: «a load of codswallop», «utter codswallop», «complete codswallop».

Examples

• «The dog ate my homework? What a load of codswallop!» tree →
• Grandad said the advert's promises were utter codswallop. tree →
• That story about a monster in the school basement is complete codswallop. tree →
• «Codswallop!» shouted the old man at the telly. tree →
• Don't believe that codswallop about chocolate making you fly. tree →
• The scientist showed that the claim was codswallop by doing a fair test. tree →

Note

Uncountable: «a load of codswallop», never «a codswallop» or «codswallops». It is informal but not a swear word. A popular story says it came from a man called Hiram Codd who made fizzy-drink bottles, but nobody really knows; that tale is probably a myth. Similar words: rubbish, nonsense, poppycock, balderdash, (US) baloney.