What does codswallop mean?
Codswallop is a chiefly British informal noun for foolish, meaningless talk. It can also denote a person who talks in this way, usually as a playful but mildly insulting label. The word is blunt and dismissive: calling speech codswallop conveys not merely that it is poorly reasoned, but that it is absurd, empty, or unworthy of serious attention. Its humor lies in its exaggerated plainness and its ability to refer both to the nonsense itself and to the person producing it. Codswallop is useful as a distinctly informal alternative to words such as nonsense, rubbish, and twaddle. Although now especially associated with British English and occasionally used in North America, it can sound dated or deliberately comically old-fashioned to some modern speakers. In most contexts it is best suited to conversation, humor, and good-natured teasing rather than formal criticism.
nounFoolish or nonsensical talk; also, a person who talks foolishly or nonsensically.
- Foolish or nonsensical talk.
- A person who talks foolishly or nonsensically.
"His explanation was a load of codswallop, and nobody believed a word of it."
"Stop talking codswallop and give me a straight answer."
"You old codswallop, you have completely missed the point."
The plural is used for the countable sense, a person who talks foolishly or nonsensically.
"Those two codswallops have been arguing in circles all afternoon."
The same word can name both the foolish talk and, teasingly, the person foolishly talking it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does codswallop come from?
Codswallop is an English colloquial word that became established during the 19th century, particularly in British usage. Its precise formation and source are uncertain, so assigning it a definite component word or a close cognate would be speculative. It subsequently developed both a collective sense for foolish talk and a countable sense for a person who talks foolishly.
How codswallop is actually used
This is a humorous, mildly insulting expression rather than a formal term. It is especially associated with British speech and may sound teasing among friends but dismissive or insulting when directed at a stranger.