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Webster 1913 Edition

Balderdash

Bal′der-dash

,
Noun.
[Of uncertain origin: cf. Dan.
balder
noise, clatter, and E.
dash
; hence, perhaps, unmeaning noise, then hodgepodge, mixture; or W.
baldorduss
a prattling,
baldordd
,
baldorddi
, to prattle.]
1.
A worthless mixture, especially of liquors.
Indeed beer, by a mixture of wine, hath lost both name and nature, and is called
balderdash
.
Taylor (Drink and Welcome).
2.
Senseless jargon; ribaldry; nonsense; trash.

Bal′der-dash

,
Verb.
T.
To mix or adulterate, as liquors.
The wine merchants of Nice brew and
balderdash
, and even
mix it with pigeon’s dung and quicklime.
Smollett.

Webster 1828 Edition

Balderdash

BALD'ERDASH

,
Noun.
Mean, senseless prate; a jargon of words; ribaldry; anything jumbled together without judgment.

BALD'ERDASH

,
Verb.
T.
To mix or adulterate liquors.

Definition 2024

balderdash

balderdash

English

Noun

balderdash ‎(uncountable)

  1. senseless talk or writing; nonsense.
  2. (archaic) A worthless mixture, especially of liquors.
    • Taylor (Drink and Welcome)
      Indeed beer, by a mixture of wine, hath lost both name and nature, and is called balderdash.

Synonyms

Translations

Verb

balderdash ‎(third-person singular simple present balderdashes, present participle balderdashing, simple past and past participle balderdashed)

  1. (archaic) To mix or adulterate.
    • Smollett
      The wine merchants of Nice brew and balderdash, and even mix it with pigeon's dung and quicklime.

References

  1. ↑ The Etymologicon: A Circular Stroll through the Hidden Connections of the English Language by Mark Forsyth

Etymology

Unknown, possibly from the early English drink of wine mixed with beer or water or other substances that was sold cheaply.[1]

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈbɔːldə.dæʃ/

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