hogwash: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, colloquial; often used in dismissive or humorous contexts.
Quick answer
What does “hogwash” mean?
Nonsense, foolish talk, or false ideas.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Nonsense, foolish talk, or false ideas.
Something worthless, meaningless, or deceptive; often used to dismiss an argument or statement as absurd.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slightly more common in American English, but well-understood in both varieties.
Connotations
Both varieties share the core connotation of contemptible nonsense. May carry a rustic or old-fashioned flavour.
Frequency
Moderately low frequency in both. More likely in spoken debate, commentary, or informal writing than in formal prose.
Grammar
How to Use “hogwash” in a Sentence
[Subject] is hogwash.To call [NP] hogwash.To dismiss [NP] as hogwash.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hogwash” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He simply hogwashed his way through the interview with empty promises.
- Don't try to hogwash me with those outdated statistics.
American English
- The senator's attempt to hogwash the public backfired spectacularly.
- You can't hogwash a jury with such a flimsy story.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used to dismiss unrealistic market predictions or a flawed business plan.
Academic
Very rare in formal writing. Could appear in polemical essays or reviews to critique a theory.
Everyday
Most common. Used to reject an excuse, a tall tale, or a dubious claim.
Technical
Extremely rare.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hogwash”
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'He told several hogwashes').
- Confusing it with 'hogwart' (from Harry Potter).
- Misspelling as 'hog wash' (though historically two words, now solid).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is informal and dismissive, but not a swear word. It expresses strong disbelief and contempt for an idea, not usually personal insult.
Yes, but the verbal use ('to hogwash someone') is much rarer and considered informal or even non-standard by some dictionaries. The noun form is predominant.
'Hogwash' is stronger and more colourful, often implying the nonsense is not just wrong but also contemptible, foolish, or deceptive. 'Nonsense' is more neutral and general.
Literally, it referred to the swill or kitchen scraps fed to pigs (hogs). By the 18th century, it was used figuratively for worthless talk or ideas, implying they are only fit for pigs.
Nonsense, foolish talk, or false ideas.
Hogwash is usually informal, colloquial; often used in dismissive or humorous contexts. in register.
Hogwash: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɒɡwɒʃ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɑːɡwɑːʃ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “That's a load of hogwash.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a hog (pig) washing its food away – it's treating something valuable as worthless. Hogwash is treating sensible ideas as worthless nonsense.
Conceptual Metaphor
WORTHLESS IDEAS ARE GARBAGE/FIT FOR ANIMALS.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'hogwash' be LEAST appropriate?