Etymology Journal ยท B
Balderdash!
Meaning
- A polite but firm way of calling something nonsense or rubbish. It is a whimsical word that expresses disbelief without being overly aggressive.
Whimsical, dismissive
Used in a sentence
- Balderdash! I never said such a thing.
- He claims he can fly, but that is absolute balderdash.
- Stop listening to that balderdash and focus on the facts.
The backstory
Originally used in the 17th century to describe a jumbled mixture of drinks like beer and milk. By the 19th century, it shifted to mean a jumble of words or senseless talk.
Heard in
Nationwide
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