rhizoverbBeta
DictionarytatWorthless goods
noun

tat

TAT/tæt/

Cheap goods of little value.

The gift shop sells mostly plastic souvenirs and tat.

A shallow sale tray crowded with garish, cheaply manufactured trinkets: a hollow plastic gold crown with peeling metallic coating, a crooked glitter-covered souvenir figurine, and oversized costume jewelry with loose imitation gems.
Etymology

The supplied sources explain tat as a verb meaning “to do tatting.” They do not establish the origin of tat meaning cheap or tasteless goods.

In context

David Perell15:22
a collector of magical tat
How to Write Absurdly Well — Adrian Tchaikovsky

More examples

  • Most of this bargain box is tat.
  • I skip the tat and buy a handmade bowl.
  • The fancy packaging hides a pile of tat.

Forms

tat

Similar words

junk
Often includes broken or unwanted items, not just cheap merchandise.
trash
Usually suggests discarded waste rather than goods offered for sale.