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noun

balderdash

BAWL-duh-dash

Balderdash (noun) means Nonsense; foolish or meaningless talk. Example: “He dismissed the whole conspiracy theory as balderdash.”

noun
1
Nonsense; foolish or meaningless talk.
"He dismissed the whole conspiracy theory as balderdash."
"That excuse is pure balderdash and you know it."

How to use balderdash

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA slightly old-fashioned, humorous way of calling something nonsense.

When to use it

Fairly formal or old-fashioned in tone; often used for comic effect.

Common pairings
utter balderdash sheer balderdash

Word forms

balderdashed past tense, balderdashes singular

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He dismissed the whole conspiracy theory as _____.

Etymology

Origin uncertain — possibly from an old English term for a mixed, cheap drink of wine, beer, and other liquids, later applied to any jumbled nonsense.

Origin: Old English

piffle fiddle-faddle

Related words

Frequently asked questions

What does “balderdash” mean?

The word “balderdash” means nonsense; foolish or meaningless talk. In plain terms, a slightly old-fashioned, humorous way of calling something nonsense.

How do you pronounce “balderdash”?

“Balderdash” is pronounced BAWL-duh-dash (/ˈbɔːldə.dæʃ/ in IPA).

How do you use “balderdash” in a sentence?

Here is “balderdash” used in a sentence: “He dismissed the whole conspiracy theory as balderdash.”

What part of speech is “balderdash”?

“Balderdash” is a noun.

Where does the word “balderdash” come from?

The word “balderdash” comes from Old English. Origin uncertain — possibly from an old English term for a mixed, cheap drink of wine, beer, and other liquids, later applied to any jumbled nonsense.

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