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poppycock

noun

/ˈpɒp iˌkɒk/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of poppycock

Nonsense or meaningless talk that is considered absurd, false, or foolish.
"His explanation for the missing assignment was pure poppycock."

Detailed meaning of poppycock

It is a term used to dismiss or express skepticism towards someone's statements or ideas that are seen as ridiculous, baseless, or lacking in credibility. Poppycock often implies a sense of disbelief or disdain towards the information being presented, suggesting that it is unworthy of serious consideration or belief. The term is typically employed to convey a sense of derision or to highlight the speaker's disagreement or skepticism. It is a colorful and informal way to express one's opinion that a particular claim or assertion is without merit or is simply untrue.

Example sentences containing poppycock

1. I can't believe you expect us to buy into such poppycock.
2. Don't listen to him; he's just spouting poppycock.
3. That conspiracy theory is nothing but poppycock.
4. The salesman's claims about the product were complete poppycock.
5. I've heard enough of your poppycock; it's time to face the facts.
6. She dismissed his excuses as poppycock and demanded the truth.

History and etymology of poppycock

The noun 'poppycock' has an interesting etymology that dates back to the 19th century. It is believed to have Dutch origins, specifically from the word 'pappekak,' where 'pappe' means soft and 'kak' means dung or excrement. Over time, 'pappekak' evolved into 'poppekak' and then 'poppycock' when it was adopted into English. The term 'poppycock' originally referred to something soft and easily squashed, akin to nonsense or something without substance. It gradually took on the figurative meaning of nonsense or meaningless talk that is considered absurd, false, or foolish. This evolution in meaning showcases how words can undergo transformations as they cross linguistic borders and adapt to new cultural contexts.

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Further usage examples of poppycock

1. His promises of quick riches turned out to be poppycock.
2. The so-called expert's theories were quickly debunked as poppycock.
3. The politician's speech was filled with poppycock and empty promises.
4. I'm tired of listening to his poppycock; let's focus on finding a real solution.
5. The article's headline was pure poppycock designed to attract attention.
6. The professor labeled the student's theory as poppycock and encouraged deeper research.
7. His idea that cats can fly is absolute poppycock.
8. Don't waste your time on that poppycock; it's just a distraction from the truth.
9. His explanation for the missing files was pure poppycock.
10. I can't believe you fell for such poppycock!
11. Her claims about aliens were complete poppycock.
12. Don't feed me that poppycock; I know the truth.
13. His excuses were nothing but poppycock.
14. The politician's promises sounded like poppycock.
15. That conspiracy theory is utter poppycock.
16. I won't listen to any more of your poppycock.
17. Your poppycock won't change my mind.
18. Stop spreading that poppycock around.
19. The fortune teller's predictions were poppycock.
20. Ignore his poppycock; it's just nonsense.
21. The boss's excuses for the delay were poppycock.
22. I can't tolerate any more of your poppycock.
23. She dismissed his argument as pure poppycock.
24. Your poppycock won't convince anyone here.
25. His explanation for the accident was poppycock.
26. The scientist debunked the poppycock theories.
27. We should stop indulging in this poppycock.
28. The movie's plot was nothing but poppycock.