tripe
C1Informal
Definition
Meaning
The edible lining from the stomachs of cows or other ruminants, used as food.
Something considered to be worthless, foolish, or offensive; nonsense.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The literal, culinary sense is neutral. The figurative, pejorative sense is much more common in contemporary usage.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The literal culinary use is slightly more common in UK English (e.g., in traditional dishes like 'tripe and onions'). The figurative sense is dominant and equally understood in both dialects.
Connotations
In the figurative sense, it conveys strong disapproval or contempt for ideas, speech, or writing.
Frequency
The figurative sense is high-frequency in informal contexts. The literal sense is low-frequency and specialized.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
consider [NP] tripedismiss [NP] as triperegard [NP] as tripeVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “That's a load of tripe!”
- “Don't talk such tripe.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; might be used very informally to dismiss a proposal: 'The new marketing plan is pure tripe.'
Academic
Highly unlikely except in informal critique: 'His thesis was dismissed as scholarly tripe.'
Everyday
Common in informal speech to express strong disagreement or disdain: 'Everything he said was total tripe.'
Technical
Only in specific culinary or butchery contexts.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I don't eat tripe.
- My grandmother used to cook tripe with onions.
- He dismissed the critic's review as complete tripe.
- The political manifesto was a masterful piece of rhetoric, though its opponents derided it as sentimental tripe.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a TRIPE of paper (like a 'tri-fold') with such bad writing on it that you call it nonsense.
Conceptual Metaphor
WORTHLESS IDEAS ARE OFFAL / NONSENSE IS UNFIT FOR CONSUMPTION
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'тряпка' (rag). The closest conceptual equivalent for the figurative sense is 'чушь', 'ерунда', or 'чепуха'. The literal food term is 'рубец'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it to describe a person (incorrect: 'He is a tripe.' Correct: 'What he says is tripe.')
- Misspelling as 'trype'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'tripe' MOST likely to be used literally?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In its dominant figurative sense, yes. Its literal meaning as a type of offal is neutral but less common.
No, 'tripe' is exclusively a noun.
They are synonyms in the figurative sense, but 'tripe' is often considered stronger and more contemptuous.
Yes, it is a direct and strong way to say you think their idea is worthless nonsense.