noun

codswallop

KAHDZ-wah-lup/ˈkɑːdzwɑːləp/

Nonsense or foolish talk.

The listener dismisses the claim that the Moon is cheese as codswallop.

A confidently talking presenter advances the visibly ridiculous idea that the Moon is made of cheese; her listener dismisses the claim as nonsense.

Etymology

The origin is uncertain: the source tentatively connects it with wallop, slang for “beer,” and cod, perhaps meaning “testicles.” It does not establish how that combination came to mean foolish talk.

In context

Adam Bienkov1:07

I don't propose to change my views this is a load of codswallop cooked up by the labor party

Boris Johnson called phone hacking story "codswallop"

More examples

I don't have time to listen to this codswallop.
The article mixes useful advice with codswallop about miracle cures.
She calls the rumor codswallop and refuses to repeat it.

Forms

codswallop

Similar words

nonsense: Nonsense is a more neutral, everyday term for foolish talk.
hogwash: Hogwash similarly dismisses ridiculous claims but is more familiar in America.