Hogwash: meaning, definitions and examples
🙄
hogwash
[ ˈhɔːɡˌwɑːʃ ]
general usage
Hogwash refers to nonsense or worthless ideas, often used to dismiss something as untrue or irrelevant. It is typically employed in a conversational context to express disdain for an argument or statement that is considered absurd or illogical.
Synonyms
balderdash, bunk, drivel, nonsense.
Examples of usage
- His claims about the benefits of the product were nothing but hogwash.
- Don't listen to that hogwash; it's all just a marketing gimmick.
- The politician's speech was filled with hogwash and no real substance.
Translations
Translations of the word "hogwash" in other languages:
🇵🇹 absurdo
- bobagem
- besteira
🇮🇳 बकवास
- बेकार बात
- मनहूस
🇩🇪 Unsinn
- Quatsch
- Blödsinn
🇮🇩 omong kosong
- omong-omong
- hal yang tidak masuk akal
🇺🇦 дурниця
- нісенітниця
- абсурд
🇵🇱 bzdura
- nonsens
- głupota
🇯🇵 たわごと
- ナンセンス
- ばかげたこと
🇫🇷 absurdité
- baliverne
- sottise
🇪🇸 tontería
- insensatez
- tontería
🇹🇷 saçmalık
- boş laf
- abuk sabuk
🇰🇷 헛소리
- 말도 안 되는 소리
- 쓸데없는 말
🇸🇦 هراء
- كلام فارغ
- سخافة
🇨🇿 nesmysl
- hloupost
- kravina
🇸🇰 hlúposť
- nezmysel
- blbosť
🇨🇳 胡说
- 无稽之谈
- 荒谬
🇸🇮 neumnost
- neumnost
- neumnost
🇮🇸 fárán
- vitleysa
- vitleysa
🇰🇿 бос сөз
- абсурд
- ақымақтық
🇬🇪 ბრიყვული
- უაზრობა
- სისულელე
🇦🇿 dəcəllik
- boş söz
- mənasızlıq
🇲🇽 tontería
- disparate
- pendejada
Etymology
The term 'hogwash' has its origins in the late 19th century, likely deriving from the literal meaning of 'wash' associated with 'hog' or pig-related practices. Originally, it referred to the slop or refuse fed to pigs, which was regarded as waste. Over time, the word evolved metaphorically to describe something insubstantial or devoid of value, often used to characterize baseless statements or arguments. The shift from a literal to a figurative sense reflects a broader linguistic trend where words transition from concrete meanings to abstract applications. Its usage gained traction in American English, becoming a colloquial term to dismiss absurdity or trivial claims. Today, 'hogwash' is commonly used in political discourse, media, and everyday conversations to indicate skepticism or criticize unfounded assertions, maintaining the spirit of its origins in disparaging something considered unworthy.
Word Frequency Rank
Ranking #37,898, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.
- ...
- 37895 decider
- 37896 jujube
- 37897 superciliousness
- 37898 hogwash
- 37899 mythically
- 37900 discomfiting
- 37901 coracle
- ...