bullshit English · revision 5019

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=compound|attested=1914|origins=en bull, en shit}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈbʊl.ʃɪt/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a compound of [[bull]] and [[shit]], first recorded in American slang,^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) probably because the thing smells.^(Etymonline) The shorter ''bull'' “trivial or false statements” is recorded from the same year, and it may continue Middle English bull “false talk, fraud”.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Eloquent and insincere talk, nonsense: 1914 in Etymonline and MWU, about 1915 in the OED, and about 1910 in the Historical Thesaurus.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(OED 1989)^(HTOED)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A second sense, mere conventional observance or fussy routine, the same as ''bull'', is from 1930.^(OED 1989)^(HTOED) The verb, to talk nonsense to or bluff one's way through, is from 1942 in the OED and Etymonline, 1917 in the Historical Thesaurus.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)^(HTOED)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1914 – noun, nonsense.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1930 – fussy routine.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1942 – verb.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(vulgar slang)'' Foolish, insincere or false talk; [[nonsense]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # ''(vulgar slang)'' To talk nonsense, or to try to deceive someone with exaggerated or false talk.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[bullshitter]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[bull]]

+ * [[shit]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}