horsefeathers

== English == === Etymology === The "nonsense" sense, a euphemism for horseshit, is horse +‎ feathers, a nonexistent item as only birds have feathers. Compare hen’s teeth. The "horse hair" sense notes the similarity of that hair to bird feathers. Regarding the roofing sense, compare feathering strip and horsefeathers. === Pronunciation === === Interjection === horsefeathers! (euphemistic, US) Indicates disbelief. ==== Synonyms ==== fiddlesticks, get out of town, pull the other one; see also Thesaurus:bullshit === Noun === horsefeathers plural of horsefeather (singular not used) === Noun === horsefeathers pl (plural only) (euphemistic, US) Nonsense; indicates disbelief. Long hair on lower legs of a draft horse (e.g., Clydesdale), especially the rear legs. Feathering strips. 1968 United States Customs Court, First Division, A. N. DERINGER, INC. v. UNITED STATES 287 F.Supp. 1016 (1968) August 8, 1968: In summary, the record establishes that to produce horsefeathers one starts by sawing a log (longitudinally) into boards or planks, which are then likewise center resawn (longitudinally); that the original boards, as well as the center resawn boards, have at least two approximately parallel longitudinal sawed surfaces; that the resawn boards are simply resawn again longitudinally at an angle or bevel to produce horsefeathers; and that the only other sawing required is the crosscutting of the boards to length. ==== Usage notes ==== In “horse hair” sense, often referred to instead as feather, feathers or feathering, with hair on the front part narrowly referred to as spats. ==== Synonyms ==== See also Thesaurus:nonsense ==== Antonyms ==== (antonym(s) of “horse hair”): spats ==== Translations ====