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BROOK(S) NO TRUCK: what does this mean?

Posted by DGW on April 10, 2003

In Reply to: BROOK(S) NO TRUCK: what does this mean? posted by ESC on April 09, 2003

: : I've come across the expression "brook(s) no truck" many times, and have never found it in any reference materials, including this site! From the context in which I've seen it used, it seems to mean "won't deal with bullsh-t". Can anyone clarify the definition and explain the origin of this phrase? Thanks.

: It would have to do with the last line here:
: Main Entry: 1truck
: Pronunciation: 'tr&k
: Function: verb
: Etymology: Middle English trukken, from Old French troquer
: Date: 13th century
: transitive senses
: 1 : to give in exchange : SWAP
: 2 : to barter or dispose of by barter
: intransitive senses
: 1 : to exchange commodities : BARTER
: 2 : to negotiate or traffic especially in an underhanded way : have dealings

: From Merriam-Webster online

The "truck" here is not the verb, and I do not believe it means "association" or "commerce" or anything like that. It is "truck" in the sense of "rubbish" or "material of little value": this appears in M-W and other dictionaries. "Brooks no truck" = "tolerates no rubbish" = "Doesn't put up with any ****" essentially.

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