Bollocks; An Etymology

Bollocks is a word of Anglo-Saxon origin, meaning "testicles". The word is often used figuratively in British English, as a noun to mean "nonsense", an expletive following a minor accident or misfortune, or an adjective to mean "poor quality" or "useless". Similarly, the common phrases "Bollocks to this!" or "That's a load of old bollocks" generally indicate contempt for a certain task, subject or opinion. Conversely, the word also figures in idiomatic phrases such as "the dog's bollocks" and "top bollock(s)", which usually refer to something which is admired, approved of or well-respected.

Related phrases include:

- "Bollocks to this!"

- "That's a load of Bollocks!"

- "Top Bollocks!"

A few interesting facts:

- Studies show that the actual word "bollocks" means either a 'priest', or 'rubbish spoken by the priest'. Often, there were priests in the early eighteenth century who generally spoke rubbish, which is how the term "bollocks" became associated with 'verbal diarrhoea'.

- According to a research publication by the BBC and Advertising Standards Authority, the word 'Bollocks' ranks 8th in terms of its perceived severity.

- "Ballock" is a variation of "bollock", which was in everyday usage in the medieval period, albeit rarely heard today.

"Bollocks!" can be used as a stand-alone interjection to express strong disagreement: similar to "bullshit", but much stronger in its emphasis.

-"What a complete and utter load of bollocks!"

- "Yer ballax!" (Your bollocks)

A related usage is in expressing contempt for something or someone. International development charity ActionAid's slogan 'Bollocks to Poverty' has been popular with younger supporters since 2002. A Channel 4 TV programme on 9 June 2005, dealing with the subject of testicular cancer, was (appropriately enough) entitled Bollocks to Cancer. A similar usage is the "Bollocks to Brussels" car stickers, which were displayed by those wishing to express contempt for European law.

The usage of the word "bollocks" caused controversy when Tony Wright, a Leicestershire trader, was given an £80 fixed penalty fine by police for selling T-shirts bearing the slogan "Bollocks to Blair".

BOLLOCKS

adjective

• bad.

  I went to see the football. It was a bollocks match.

  by Matthew R., Blackpool, United Kingdom, May 31 2004.

interjection

• exclamation to denote general sorrow, despair, or disappointment.

  Oh, bollocks!

  by Anonymous, Oct 01 2001.

noun

• testicles.

  I have itchy bollocks.

  by Andy, Maidenhead, Windsor and Maidenhead, UK, Aug 21 1997.

• lies.

  What a load of bollocks!

  by Michael Fraser, New York, NY, USA, Dec 03 1997.

• something broken or messed up.

  You made a right bollocks of that.

  by Steve, Oct 11 1999.

• exaggerated stories.

  As usual Malcolm came to the pub and talked non-stop bollocks all evening.

  by Matthew R., Blackpool, United Kingdom, May 31 2004.

verb

• to screw up.

  You've really bollocksed that up.

  by Steve, Oct 11 1999.