Meaning & use
poppycock
Last updated
UK/ˈpɒpikɒk/
US/ˈpɑːpikɑːk/
Meaning
noununcountable
Foolish talk or ideas that you consider complete nonsense.
Grammar: No plural or article: that's poppycock! Often used as an exclamation.
Patterns
- talk poppycock
- utter poppycock
He dismissed the rumor as poppycock.
Anyone who says the moon is made of cheese is talking poppycock.
The editorial was pure poppycock from beginning to end.
Common combinations
- utter poppycock
- The theory is utter poppycock.
- talk poppycock
- Don't talk poppycock; check the facts.
- pure poppycock
- Her speech was pure poppycock.
- dismiss as poppycock
- The judge dismissed the claim as poppycock.
- complete poppycock
- It's complete poppycock to say you can't learn to swim.
Synonyms and how they differ
- nonsense
- Nonsense is the neutral everyday word, while poppycock is dated and a little playful.
- balderdash
- Balderdash is equally old-fashioned and silly, but slightly more jolly in tone.
- rubbish
- Rubbish is a British informal word that sounds blunter and more modern.
- claptrap
- Claptrap suggests insincere talk meant to win approval, not just silliness.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: poppycock or popcorn?
poppycock vs popcorn
Popcorn is a snack; poppycock is nonsense, though both begin with pop.
Practice
'The idea that carrots give you perfect eyesight is poppycock.' Here poppycock means ___.
Choose one answer.
Poppycock means nonsense, so the speaker rejects the idea. A proven fact is the opposite.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “poppycock”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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