codswallop: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (rare to uncommon)Informal, often humorous or emphatic.
Quick answer
What does “codswallop” mean?
Nonsense or ridiculous statements.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Nonsense or ridiculous statements.
Utterly absurd, foolish, or worthless talk, ideas, or proposals; complete rubbish.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily and almost exclusively British/Commonwealth English. Extremely rare in American English.
Connotations
UK: Playful, mildly old-fashioned but still recognized; conveys humorous exasperation. US: Unfamiliar, sounds quaint or comically British if used.
Frequency
Commonly understood in the UK, though less frequent than 'rubbish' or 'nonsense'. In the US, it is not part of the active vocabulary and would confuse most listeners.
Grammar
How to Use “codswallop” in a Sentence
That's [determiner] ~.To talk/speak/spout ~.What/That is a load of ~.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “codswallop” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He's just codswalloping again.
- Stop codswalloping and get to the point.
American English
- (Virtually never used as a verb in AmE)
adverb
British English
- (Not used)
American English
- (Not used)
adjective
British English
- (Not standard; adjective use is rare/non-standard)
- That's a codswallop idea.
American English
- (Not used)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Highly unlikely, except perhaps in very informal British office banter to dismiss an unrealistic proposal.
Academic
Not used; considered far too informal and subjective.
Everyday
Used in informal British conversation to express strong disagreement or disbelief humorously.
Technical
Never used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “codswallop”
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'He told a codswallop'). It is uncountable.
- Spelling errors: 'codswollop', 'codswallup'.
- Overusing it in American contexts where it is not recognized.
- Attempting to use it in serious or formal writing.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's not obscene or highly offensive, but it is very dismissive and informal. It's more humorous and emphatic than vulgar.
The etymology is uncertain and often debated. A popular but likely false folk etymology links it to Hiram Codd's soda bottles (wallop = slang for beer), suggesting the word meant inferior drink, hence 'nonsense'. Lexicographers generally consider its true origin unknown.
They can, but it will likely sound affected, comically British, or be misunderstood. An American would typically use 'nonsense', 'bull', 'baloney', or 'hogwash' instead.
It is somewhat dated but remains in use, particularly among older generations in the UK. It's still widely understood and used for humorous or emphatic effect.
Nonsense or ridiculous statements.
Codswallop is usually informal, often humorous or emphatic. in register.
Codswallop: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒdzwɒləp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːdzwɑːləp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a load of old codswallop”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an old fisherman (COD) trying to WALLOP (hit) a talking fish. The fish says something ridiculous, and the fisherman shouts, "That's codswallop!"
Conceptual Metaphor
WORTHLESS IDEAS ARE GARBAGE/WASTE (cf. rubbish, trash).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'codswallop' be MOST appropriate?