Editor talking bunkum
Forgive this old editor talking bunkum.
If you are not fascinated by words, copy-editing and proofreading may not be your bag (scene, metier, idea of fun). If, however, like me, you find it impossible not to delve, dig or scrabble through dictionaries then learning editorial skills may be a great investment of time. You may find a career which really suits you. Working with words, doing something you love, which is also well-paid and done from home, is a good way of earning a living.
Balderdash!
I don’t remember PG Wodehouse using the word balderdash. But for me it is redolent of florid colonels of advancing years in London clubs. Someone, not quite the “sort” who was usually invited to the club, voices an opinion about current affairs or the price of wheat and all hell breaks loose.
Balderdash, sir. Withdraw that remark at once!
It means nonsense, gibberish or rubbish. Not fashionable now, but it should be.
For me it also has a rather tenuous connection with Coronation Street. Ena Sharples, Minnie Caldwell and Martha Longhurst would gather in The Rovers Return and drink milk stout like the three witches from the Scottish play. “That Elsie Tanner’s no better than she ought to be.”
So what’s the connection with balderdash? Well, balderdash was originally a mixture of liquids, often beer and milk. The trio in The Rovers drank milk stout and talked balderdash! So they drank what they spoke.
The shift to mean a nonsensical jumble of words came later.
Bunkum!
Talking bunkum: engaging in foolish and verbose talk. Again, a word which is out of fashion. Rather sadly, I think.
It is American and owes its existence to Felix Watson, a congressman from North Carolina. He made a speech which was long, irrelevant, boring and pointless. Nothing new? Well, apparently this broke all records!
Felix represented Buncombe County. Poor Felix, poor Buncombe.