What does codded mean?
"Codded" is the past tense of "cod," an informal chiefly British verb meaning to fool, tease, or take someone in, usually in good fun. To say someone was codded is to suggest they were gulled by a joke, a tall story, or a harmless prank rather than seriously deceived. The word carries a light, bantering connotation — friends cod each other over round drinks or unlikely claims — and sits comfortably alongside expressions like "having someone on." It should not be confused with "coddled," which means pampered or gently cooked, though the two are often mixed up in spelling. Though rare in American English, "cod" in this sense has a long history in British slang and survives most visibly today in words like "codswallop," itself slang for nonsense. For readers of British fiction or comedy, recognizing "codded" unlocks a distinctly wry register of teasing humor.
verb"Codded" is the past tense and past participle of "cod," meaning to fool, tease, or trick someone, especially in a playful or mocking way.
- Fooling or tricking someone playfully (past tense of 'cod').
- Caught or fished for cod (rare past-tense use).
"He codded his mates into believing the pub had burned down."
"She codded the whole office into thinking Friday was a holiday."
"They were only codding him about his new haircut."
"Codded" has nothing to do with fish supper — it's old British slang for pulling a fast one on someone.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of codded
The verb "cod" meaning to fool or mock arose as British slang, likely by extension from the noun "cod" (the fish) or as a dialectal term for an elderly man, as seen in "codger." Its precise earliest origins are not firmly established, but the verb was well established by the nineteenth century. It shares its slang lineage with related British coinages such as "codswallop" (nonsense) and the older "codpiece."
Related word forms
How codded is actually used
Chiefly informal British usage, often jocular and affectionate rather than malicious. In American English it is rare; speakers there would typically say 'fooled' or 'teased'.
Easily confused with codded
To coddle is to treat with excessive care or pamper (or to cook eggs gently), while to cod is to fool or tease someone.
Coded means expressed in code or classified, whereas codded refers to being fooled or teased.