Balderdash
/ˈbɔːl.dəˌdæʃ/noun
Nonsense or foolish talk.
Did you know?The word is first recorded in the 16th century, and despite many theories, its exact origin is uncertain—making it one of English’s classic “made-up-sounding” words that really did become real.
Etymological Timeline
16th Century
English
balderdash
“Nonsense talk; a jumble of words”
16th Century
English
balder
“A nonsense term or comic intensifier in slang”
16th Century
English
dash
“To strike or throw violently; also used in slang mixtures and exclamations”
Modern English
English
balderdash
“Foolish or empty talk”