balderdash

American  

[bawl-der-dash] / ˈbɔl dərˌdæʃ /

noun

1. senseless, stupid, or exaggerated talk or writing; nonsense.

2. Obsolete. a muddled mixture of liquors.

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balderdash British  

/ ˈbɔːldəˌdæʃ /

noun

1. stupid or illogical talk; senseless rubbish

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Etymology

Origin of balderdash

First recorded in 1590–1600; of obscure origin

Explanation

Balderdash is something said or written that doesn't make sense, such as a ridiculous claim or a bad argument. In other words, it's complete and utter nonsense. Balderdash is a fun, somewhat old-fashioned term for "nonsense" or "rubbish." It carries a British, slightly theatrical overtone, and is best used in a light-hearted way for trivial matters. Calling someone's argument "balderdash" feels more like a playful rebuke than a harsh insult. Save weightier terms like fallacy or misinformation for important or professional disputes, as serious concerns deserve a more serious word than balderdash.

Example Sentences

Balderdash, argues Bryan Caplan, a professor of economics at George Mason University and a self-proclaimed libertarian.

From Washington Post • Feb. 16, 2018

As Alex Games writes in Balderdash & Piffle: “No one is going to take someone to court for calling them a ‘wazzock’: it’s not a high-octane term of abuse.”

From The Guardian • Jan. 19, 2016

Balderdash, answers Bogle, who remains, 40 years after Vanguard’s founding, the world’s most passionate crusader for passive investing.

From Forbes • Jan. 21, 2015

Classics like charades and the dictionary game — sometimes called Fictionary, and tweaked for the unimaginative under the brand name Balderdash — call at most for paper and pencils.

From New York Times • Jul. 1, 2011

Balderdash was not only a fun word to say but an effective one.

From "Not Nothing" by Gayle Forman