Synonyms

horsefeathers

American

[hawrs-feth-erz] / ˈhɔrsˌfɛð ərz /

noun

(used with a singular verb)

something not worth considering.

interjection

rubbish; nonsense; bunk (used to express contemptuous rejection).

Etymology

Origin of horsefeathers

First recorded in 1925–30; horse + feathers ( def. ) (originally an Americanism, used as a euphemism for horseshit )

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.

To quote my dad after he’d been reminded to watch his language: This is horsefeathers.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 23, 2021

Dan Jones says the discovery of Richard III's remains leads some to reconsider his place in history, but to say that he was anything other than a criminal is horsefeathers.

From Time • Feb. 6, 2013

The aim is to “sound more persuasive” while talking horsefeathers.

From Economist • Aug. 19, 2010

"The idea that juries can't understand Complicated cases is pure unadulterated horsefeathers," says Chicago Attorney Max Wildman, whose cases have involved all the intricacies of medical and airline liability.

From Time Magazine Archive

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023