cobblers
Britishplural noun
-
rubbish; nonsense
a load of old cobblers
-
another word for testicles See testicle
interjection
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.
Nor need they feel beholden to cupcake makers, cobblers, tax preparers or manufacturers of cheap lingerie.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2026
With his aging rockstar looks, Francis says in darker moments he wishes he had taken the advice of some of the old cobblers who taught him the trade.
From Barron's • Oct. 26, 2025
It is full of colorful stories of speak-easy proprietors, snooty bigwigs, hapless rabbis, stone-cold gangsters and intimidating cobblers.
From Seattle Times • Aug. 15, 2023
We want the world to know about how delicious Nekia Hatley’s mac & cheese is from My Daddy’s Recipes, or how amazing Gorilla Grub’s cobblers and vegan Thai curry is.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 14, 2022
A teacher had donated his bicycle to the soldiers, cobblers were making soldiers’ boots for free, and farmers were giving away yams.
From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
