Nonsense
A load of cobblers
Meaning
Nonsense.
Examples
He says he has invented a perpetual motion machine, which is clearly a load of cobblers.
Where did it originate?
The United Kingdom.
Where is it used?
Widely used, especially in the UK. Slang and borderline swearing – not one for your Grandma.
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A load of codswallop
Meaning
Nonsense.
Examples
You can’t keep champagne fresh by putting a spoon in the neck of the bottle – that’s a load of codswallop.
Where did it originate?
The United Kingdom.
Where is it used?
Mostly used in the UK but known elsewhere too. Mostly used by the older generation.
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Fiddlesticks
Meaning
An exclamation meaning 1. Nonsense; rubbish. 2. An indication of mild annoyance.
Examples
1. You say you can run 100 yards in 10 seconds. I say fiddlesticks. 2. Oh fiddlesticks! that’s the third time I’ve been caught by that speed trap going just over 30 mph.
Where did it originate?
Britain – 17th century. The term derives from the slang name of a violin bow, that is, a fiddle stick.
Where is it used?
Britain – but only by the older generation.
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How the idiom originated
Mumbo jumbo
Meaning
Nonsense or meaningless speech.
Examples
His speech about magical phenomenology seemed to make sense at the time but now I realise it was just mumbo-jumbo.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 18th century. Deriving from an African source.
Where is it used?
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