nonsense English · revision 6355

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1612}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈnɒn.səns/ ''(UK)''; /ˈnɑn.sɛns/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from [[non-]] and [[sense]],^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(SOED 2002) perhaps influenced by French nonsens.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Words without meaning or conveying absurd ideas: 1612 in MWU, 1614 in the OED, the 1610s in Etymonline.^(MWU 2024)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A piece of nonsense, or a muddle, is from before 1643,^(OED 1989) absurdity from 1630,^(OED 1989) and worthless stuff from 1638.^(OED 1989) ''No nonsense'', no foolish conduct, is from 1821.^(OED 1989) Since the mid-20th century the hyphenated ''non-sense'' has been used for what is simply not sense, without implying absurdity (1942).^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) ''Nonsense verse'', light verse such as Edward Lear's, follows.^(Roach et al. 2011)^(Collins 2023) [[nonsensical|alt=Nonsensical]] is from the 17th century.^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1612 – meaningless words.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1630 – absurdity.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1638 – worthless stuff.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1821 – no nonsense.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1942 – non-sense, without absurdity.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Words or ideas that have no meaning or make no sense; [[rubbish]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Foolish or unacceptable behaviour.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Something of no importance.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Interjection===

+ # Used to express strong disagreement.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[nonsensical]]

+ * [[nonsensically]]

+ * [[nonsensicalness]]

+ * [[no-nonsense]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[sense]]

+ * [[senseless]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}