NONSENSE, AMERICAN STYLE

In an earlier essay, I asserted that the English language loves nonsense words, and named a few with origins in the UK. This current essay will show that the American speakers of the language share this same penchant for silly words. All of the following are synonyms for “nonsense.”

Applesauce (appearing in 1739 and popular in 1920s). Why this word equates to nonsense eludes me. Baloney (1915-20). Bologna, like hot dogs/wieners, is for me a junk food—a bunch of stuff ground up together and molded into a form. Sounds like nonsense to me.

Bunkum or buncombe (1820). I kind of like this word, but mainly because it sounds funny and obviously means nothing. Except nonsense, of course. Hokum (1908), like bunkum, sounds old fashioned to me—out of date. But it does rather sound like “ho hum,” which is appropriate response to hearing nonsense. Hooey (1920s), unlike Bunkum and Hokum, seems like the infamous Bronx cheer. There’s a sneer in this word.

Horsefeathers (1927) or *horse-hockey (1928). The first version of this term is excellent for pronouncing something nonsensical, as feathers are not natural for a horse. The other seems more likely to be a synonym for Polo. Malarkey or marlarky (1824). Malarkey is a good nonsense synonym as it, too, means nothing. But it also resembles a real name for a person, rather like “the real McCoy” came from a real person. Are we expected to know who this Malarkey person is and why that person is associated with nonsense? Hmm.

Nerts (1932). This is a good one, obviously not a word with meaning in English and it sounds a lot like “nuts,” another word used for ridicule. *Poppycock (1865). I love this word. It just sounds so silly, and therefore, appropriate.

Gobbledygook (first appearing in 1944)—this word always makes me think of the sound a turkey makes. If you have ever heard several of these birds sounding off at the same time, you have a good idea of what gobbledygook means. In fact, it is used to refer to abstruse technical language which is not easy to understand by the average person.

*As for other associations of these words–see starred words above, several are also synonyms for a popular abbreviation “BS” (short for bull shit). Others of these words did/do not always mean “nonsense,” but I will let you explore that on your own. While you are investigating, you may find other silly words to add to these I have given you. I wish the joy of discovery.