Poppycock.

[Zubar]

Where did the word 'poppycock' come from? I'm guessing it might have originated from India, possibly a word used regularly by the sahibs & memsahibs.
Anyone got any ideas?
Many Thanks
Zubar.

[Buenchico]

It's from a Dutch dialect word for 'nonsense' ('pappekak').

Chris

[Quizmonster]

Incidentally, the Dutch word Chris offers above actually translates as 'soft dung', so you can see how the Americans first came up with its modern English meaning in the middle of the 19th century. Today, I daresay we would be more likely to use a much more abrupt four-letter word beginning with 's' and ending with 't', when accusing someone of speaking it!

[jno]

as stated... but of course 'cack' is still a recognisable word in Britain.

[gen2]

likewise verbal diarrhoea

[Mustardmit]

Looks as if we're all on the same wavelength here, I always believed it was from "pappy cack" ie. soft Sugar.

[Mustardmit]

*re my last post. Please substitute the word "Sugar" with what I originally posted (you'll have to use your imagination). It didn't cross my mind that the moderators of AB might be in the habit of censoring swear words even if used in context.