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Poppycock

2 stages from Dutch to English.

Today it means nonsense

Where does the word "poppycock" come from? It comes from Dutch pappekak, adopted directly into English (1860s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
pappekak
Dutch · 1800s
"soft dung"
a crude dialect compound, 'pap' soft food plus 'kak' dung
2
Stage 2 of 2
poppycock
English · 1860s
"nonsense"
adopted in American English, where Dutch dialect lingered around New York
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Read the full story

Poppycock’s story begins in Dutch: pappekak meant “soft dung.” A crude dialect compound, 'pap' soft food plus 'kak' dung. It reached English by 1860s as poppycock. Adopted in American English, where Dutch dialect lingered around New York. Today, poppycock means nonsense.