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.
The think-tank has examined how the technology could help or harm dozens of professions -- from cobblers to sewer cleaners, farmers to tea sellers.
From Barron's ● Jun. 11, 2026
What’s more, the apples his trees bore were not destined for cobblers and pies.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 26, 2026
They’re still delicious, and you can eat them fresh, too, but most folks use them to make things like peach pies, cobblers, and other classic favorites.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 4, 2024
From pies, crumbles and cobblers, strawberry-rhubarb is my pick for the season when temperatures are still cool enough to serve a warm dessert.
From Salon ● Mar. 29, 2024
Tailors, leather workers, cobblers, tanners, weavers, spice dealers, peddlers, merchants, silversmiths, goldsmiths—a whole wonderful community that lived and worked together and flourished—are being forced to leave.
From "Across So Many Seas" by Ruth Behar
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.
