Bollox

Part of speech: noun, interjection

Definitions

1. A rude or slang term used to express disbelief, annoyance, or contempt; nonsense or something of little value; to treat something carelessly or with disdain
2. A vulgar expression indicating frustration or rejection; refers to something worthless or foolish; also used to dismiss or ruin something intentionally
3. Informal coarse language to negate or criticize; denotes foolishness or rubbish; can describe actions done thoughtlessly or disrespectfully

Etymology: The word "bollox" is simply a spelling variant of "bollocks", so its history is the history of that word. Its roots run back to Old English "beallucas", the plural of "bealluc", meaning "testicle". Middle English turned this into "ballokes", and the singular "ballok" was later formed by back-analysis of that plural, which is why modern English treats the "-s" as if it were part of a regular plural ending. The sense of nonsense is a figurative extension. Testicles were slang for things of little worth, and the leap from anatomy to "rubbish" is one of the more blunt routes a word can take into everyday speech. Its sense of worthlessness in speech or writing, which is how the word is used today, grew naturally out of that vulgar association.

Synonyms: nonsense, rubbish, garbage, trash, balderdash

Antonyms: truth, fact, reality, sense