bollocks

[ bol-uhks ]

noun

1. (used with a plural verb) Vulgar. ballocks.
2. (used with a singular or plural verb) British Slang: Vulgar. rubbish; nonsense; claptrap (often used as an interjection).

bollocks

/ ˈbɒləks; ˈbɒlɪks /

plural noun

1. another word for testicles See testicle
2. nonsense; rubbish

interjection

1. an exclamation of annoyance, disbelief, etc
2. the bollocks or the dog's bollocks
   something excellent

verb

1. to muddle or botch

Usage

Both its anatomical senses and its various extended senses nowadays have far less impact than they used to, and seem unlikely to cause offence, though some older or more conservative people may object. The fact that shops displaying the Sex Pistols' album containing this word were charged with offences defined in 19th-century Indecent Advertisement and Vagrancy Acts now seems hard to credit

Word History and Origins

Origin of bollocks¹

First recorded in 1735–45; variant of ballocks

Word History and Origins

Origin of bollocks¹

Old English beallucas , diminutive (pl) of beallu (unattested); see ball ¹