hokum
UK /ˈhəʊkəm/ · US /ˈhoʊkəm/ noun
Forms hokums hocum
- noun (countable, uncountable, informal) (An instance of) meaningless nonsense with an outward appearance of being impressive and legitimate.
- noun (countable, uncountable, informal) (An instance of) excessively contrived, hackneyed, or sentimental material in a film, television programme, theater production, etc.
- noun (countable, informal) A film, television programme, theater production, etc., containing excessively contrived, hackneyed, or sentimental material.
- noun (uncountable, music) A genre of blues song or music, often characterized by sexual innuendos or satire.
Synonyms
bunkum absurdity all my eye all my eye and Betty Martin apple grease applesauce bafflegab balderdash balls baloney banana oil Bandini baragouin batcrap batshit bilgewater blah blah-blah blah-blah-blah blather nonsense bunk nonsensicality meaninglessness
Etymology
Uncertain; first attested as US theater slang, possibly a blend of hocus-pocus + bunkum.
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 — from the Wiktionary entry “hokum”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details