Poppycock
Meaning
Poppycock is an informal term used to describe utter nonsense, foolish talk, or ridiculous ideas.
Origin
The wonderfully quirky word "poppycock" landed in English from the Dutch "pappekak", a surprisingly literal and rather vulgar compound. "Pappe" in Dutch referred to soft food, like pap or mush, while "kak" was—and still is—a coarse term for excrement or dung. Essentially, the Dutch were saying "soft shit" to describe something utterly worthless or silly. As it immigrated into American English in the mid-19th century, particularly around the 1860s, the "kak" softened into "cock," making it a touch more polite for Victorian sensibilities, yet still delivering a strong punch to dismiss foolish talk. The phrase quickly caught on, becoming a colorful, if slightly old-fashioned, way to declare something complete and utter rubbish.
Examples
- That politician's latest speech was absolute poppycock; it made no sense at all.
- Don't listen to his theories about aliens building the pyramids, it's all just poppycock.