balderdash

== English == === Etymology === Unknown, possibly from the early English drink of wine mixed with beer or water or other substances that was sold cheaply. This etymology is incomplete. You can help Wiktionary by elaborating on the origins of this term. === Pronunciation === (UK) IPA(key): /ˈbɔːldə.dæʃ/ === Noun === balderdash (uncountable) Senseless talk or writing; nonsense. (archaic) A worthless mixture, especially of liquors. 1637, John Taylor, Drinke and Welcome, London: Anne Griffin, “Beere,”[3] Indeede Beere, by a Mixture of Wine, it enjoyes approbation amongst some few (that hardly understand wherefore) but then it is no longer Beere, but hath lost both Name and Nature, and is called Balderdash (an Utopian denomination) [...] 1783, John O’Keeffe, The Agreeable Surprise, Newry: R. Stevenson, Act I, Scene 1, pp. 6-7,[4] [...] I took him to oblige a foolish old friend of mine, who intended him for Saint Omers; so I must keep him to draw good wine, and brew balderdash Latin. (obsolete) Obscene language or writing. ==== Synonyms ==== bunk, drivel, folderol, piffle, poppycock, rubbish, twaddle see Thesaurus:nonsense ==== Translations ==== === Verb === balderdash (third-person singular simple present balderdashes, present participle balderdashing, simple past and past participle balderdashed) (archaic) To mix or adulterate. === References ===