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Showing results for "cobblers"

cobblers

British  
/ ˈkɒbləz /

plural noun

  1. rubbish; nonsense

    a load of old cobblers

  2. another word for testicles See testicle

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

interjection

  1. an exclamation of strong disagreement

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

The use of cobblers meaning "nonsense" is so mild that hardly anyone these days is likely to be offended by it. Most people are probably unaware of its rhyming-slang association with ``balls'', and therefore take it at its face value as a more colourful synonym for ``nonsense''. The classic formulation "a load of (old) cobblers" seems to be particularly popular in the tabloid press

Etymology

Origin of cobblers

C20: from rhyming slang cobblers' awls balls

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Life at Sixfields started slowly, but the Cobblers went close to back-to-back play-off final wins - and a place in what is now the Championship - in 1998.

From BBC • May 2, 2024

After playing for Northampton Town in the 1960s, Graham Carr managed the Cobblers between 1985 and 1990.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2023

He played more than 100 games for the Cobblers between 1911 and 1914 before dying aged 29 during World War One.

From BBC • Oct. 21, 2021

The Cobblers are expected to take at least 7,000 fans to cheer them on after the 2-2 draw in the first match.

From The Guardian • Jan. 19, 2016

I took charge of unpacking the pie and getting it registered at Fruit Pies and Cobblers.

From "A Long Way from Chicago" by Richard Peck

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