If you have ever felt like you are being lied to, deceived, or are hearing some nonsense, then I may have a phrase for you. Despite its whimsical-sounding name, this phrase cuts through what is untrue and calls it out with authority. The phrase codswallop calls out words or ideas for being silly, foolish, or an outright lie.

Today we will outline what codswallop means, its origin, some phrases akin to and opposite of it, and proper usage of the phrase. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.

Meaning

The phrase codswallop means an idea, writing, or speech that is considered to be senseless/nonsense. It draws a negative light on what it is being used in place of, largely because it attempts to describe something as ridiculous.

It can be used as a rebuttal, such as simply saying the phrase “codswallop” as if it were the word nonsense, or it can be used in a sentence with the meaning shown above.

Another way that codswallop can be used is to describe something as worthless or trash. Though this meaning of codswallop is used less as a one-word rebuttal than its senseless meaning, it also carries a very negative connotation.

Whichever context it is used in, the word codswallop is viewed as a unique phrase that persists with adverse meaning. The subjects described by codswallop should be sub-par and undesirable to properly achieve the negative meaning ascribed to them. More information can be found in the video (here).

Example Usage

“Tell me the truth and stop talking codswallop”.

“Everything that just came out of your mouth is pure codswallop”.

“He is full of codswallop, literally nothing he says is based on facts”.

“Forget about rubbish, your ideas are worse than fantasy, they are codswallop”.

“That movie was a load of codswallop, so we just left”.

“The prime minister spews nothing but codswallop when it comes to important issues”.

Origin

The origin of the phrase codswallop is largely up for debate. Many believe that the phrase has relation to Hiram Codd, a man who made a process for bottling soft drinks and lemonade in the 1870s. In Codd’s process, a glass bottle was shaken with a stopper in the neck causing the pressure in the bottle to form a seal for his soft drinks. Furthermore, wallop is a term for beer. Beer drinkers may have termed watered down and weak beer as Codd’s wallop to state it was too similar to a soft drink to be a beer. However, this account can be contested as the term codswallop was not recorded until the late 1950s, quite a long time after the Codd’s bottling process was at the height of its relevance.

Another potential explanation was the use of the word cod. It was used in Northern England to represent a scam, illusion, or hoax. Along with the former explanation for the watered-down or weak beer, this pairing of “cod” and “wallop” make a combination meaning a beer that is a scam. Regardless of the origin, the term codswallop appeared to pick up recognition in the late 1950s and continues to be used in decades since.

Phrases Similar to Codswallop

• Poppycock
• Fiddle-faddle
• Bull-crap/BS
• Balderdash
• Rubbish
• Tomfoolery

Phrases opposite to Codswallop

• Levelheaded
• Horse sense
• Wise as a serpent
• Really sharp
• Smart cookie

What is The Correct Saying?

• Codswallop
• Historically- Codd’s Wallop

Ways People May Incorrectly Say Codswallop

• Cod swallow up
• Caught wallop
• Caught up

Acceptable Ways to Phrase Codswallop

• In my opinion, that entire report is nothing but a load of codswallop.
• It’s all just codswallop in my view.
• Tom and I both agree that it’s a right load of codswallop, it is.
• I have only ever heard sparkly codswallop from you mate.
• That color combination is pure codswallop Julia.