noun
poppycock
PO-pee-kok
Poppycock (noun) means Nonsense; ridiculous or foolish talk. Example: “That's absolute poppycock," he scoffed at the conspiracy theory.”
noun
1
Nonsense; ridiculous or foolish talk.
"Don’t talk such poppycock—you know it’s not true."
"That rumor is nothing but sheer poppycock."
""That's absolute poppycock," he scoffed at the conspiracy theory."
"He dismissed the conspiracy theory as poppycock."
How to use poppycock
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old-fashioned, mild way of calling something nonsense.
When to use it
Dated and a little theatrical — used for comic or emphatic effect rather than everyday speech.
Common pairings
sheer poppycock
that's poppycock
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Word forms
- Plural
- poppycocks
Fill the gap
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"That's absolute _____," he scoffed at the conspiracy theory.
Etymology
Borrowed from Dutch pappekak, literally "soft dung" — from pappe ("soft food") and kak ("excrement").
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “poppycock” mean?
The word “poppycock” means nonsense; ridiculous or foolish talk. In plain terms, an old-fashioned, mild way of calling something nonsense.
How do you pronounce “poppycock”?
“Poppycock” is pronounced PO-pee-kok (/ˈpɑpiˌkɑk/ in IPA).
How do you use “poppycock” in a sentence?
Here is “poppycock” used in a sentence: “"That's absolute poppycock," he scoffed at the conspiracy theory.”
What part of speech is “poppycock”?
“Poppycock” is a noun.
Where does the word “poppycock” come from?
The word “poppycock” comes from Dutch.
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