malarkey
C1Informal
Definition
Meaning
Speech or ideas that are foolish, nonsensical, or deceptive.
Trivial, meaningless talk; exaggerated nonsense or empty promises; often used to dismiss what someone is saying.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word is primarily used to express dismissal or scorn towards speech or an idea, implying it is not worthy of serious consideration.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is more commonly used in American English. In British English, it is understood but often perceived as an Americanism.
Connotations
Generally lighthearted or humorous disdain, not severe anger. In American political contexts, it can have a folksy, old-fashioned tone.
Frequency
Low-to-mid frequency in AmE, low frequency and occasional in BrE.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
That's/It's [malarkey].Don't give me that [malarkey].What a load of [malarkey]!He's spouting [malarkey] about...I don't buy that [malarkey].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No idioms are specific to 'malarkey'. It is often used in idiom-like phrases such as 'a load of malarkey'.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Informal dismissal of unrealistic projections or exaggerated sales pitches.
Academic
Highly unlikely to be used in formal academic writing, except perhaps in informal speech to critique a theory.
Everyday
Used to dismiss or mock trivial talk, excuses, or obvious lies in casual conversation.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (Not standard; very rare).
American English
- (Not standard; very rare).
adverb
British English
- (Not standard).
American English
- (Not standard).
adjective
British English
- (Not standard).
American English
- (Not standard).
Examples
By CEFR Level
- That sounds like malarkey to me.
- Don't listen to him, it's all malarkey.
- The company's excuses for the delay were pure malarkey.
- The politician dismissed his opponent's claims as populist malarkey unworthy of debate.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a **mal**icious **lark** (a playful bird) singing nonsense songs – that's MALARKEY.
Conceptual Metaphor
FALSE/EMPTY IDEAS ARE WORTHLESS OBJECTS (a 'load' of malarkey, a 'bunch' of malarkey).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводить буквально или как 'болтовня' (chatter). Ближе по смыслу: 'ерунда', 'вздор', 'чепуха', 'чушь'.
- Не переводить 'политический малаки' — используйте 'политическая трепотня' или 'предвыборная чушь'.
Common Mistakes
- Spelling: 'mullarky', 'malarky'.
- Using it in formal writing.
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'He told a malarkey'). It is uncountable.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the BEST synonym for 'malarkey' in this sentence: 'His entire speech was just a bunch of malarkey.'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's informal and dismissive, but not inherently offensive or vulgar like some of its stronger synonyms.
Its etymology is uncertain. It first appeared in American English in the 1920s. It may be of Irish origin (from the surname Malarkey) or related to Greek 'malakia' (meaning 'softness' or 'nonsense'), but this is not proven.
No, it is firmly in the informal register and would be inappropriate in formal academic, legal, or business documents.
No, it is almost exclusively used as a noun (uncountable). Attempts to verbify it (e.g., 'He's malarkeying') are non-standard and humorous.