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Fiddlesticks

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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About the Author

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

Gary Martin

Writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.
Fiddlesticks

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