Bollocks To Poverty

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.

Bollocks!" can be used as a stand-alone interjection to express strong disagreement. It dismisses a statement as

nonsense, similar to "bullshit", but much stronger in its emphasis and implications. This can be expanded, for example, to "What a complete and utter load of bollocks!" An expression with a similar meaning is "Yer ballax!" (Your bollocks). A "bollocking" can describe the process of reprimanding someone, for instance: "I didn't do my homework. My teacher gave me a right bollocking".

"Bollocks" can be used to annunciate a lie, an incorrect statement, an unfair situation, misfortune or a hiding to nothing, i.e. "what a load of bollocks" or "bollocks, more like". A quotation from John O'Farrell includes a range of examples of this usage: a character attending a comedy awards ceremony said: "These awards are a load of bollocks. It's all bollocks, all of it. These people: bollocks; this whole industry: complete bollocks; these prizes: meaningless bollocks; all these free gifts: marketing bollocks; this food: pure bollocks".^[4] Similarly, it is claimed that New Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell "routinely dismissed unwelcome news stories as bollocks, complete bollocks and bollocks on stilts".^[5]

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.^[6]

The word "bollocks" used on its own can also mean an expression of dismay. Often used in a single word form people will utter "bollocks" when something breaks or does not go their way. Similar to a usage of the word shit.

The phrase "bollocks things up" appears in episodes of The Flintstones^[7], which are frequently broadcast in the UK as part of BBC children's programming.

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.

notes

• Origin: UK.

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