What it means
A proper British swear with a few lives in it. Bollocks can mean total nonsense, something rubbish, or a blunt no chance. You can also say you’ve made a bollocks of something when you’ve messed it up badly. Then it does a cheeky flip in the dog’s bollocks, which means absolutely brilliant.
Usage examples
"Train’s cancelled again and my mate’s queued for the wrong platform. I’ve made a right bollocks of the whole morning, but his new jacket is the dog’s bollocks."
"The car broke down halfway up the M6 and the AI chatbot at the breakdown service told me to try restarting the engine. Bollocks, mate, my battery is wetter than a Manchester pavement in March."
"The new conservatory is the dog’s bollocks, three skylights, a wood-burner and a view of the canal, the in-laws insisted on coming round on Sunday already to see the curtains and pretend not to be impressed."
"You said the landlord will fix the boiler today? Bollocks. He’s been saying that since November."
"I tried to book the tickets on my phone and made a complete bollocks of it, so now we’re in Row Z behind a pillar."
Voice comments
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Where it comes from
It comes from Old English beallucas, literally testicles. That was the straight meaning for ages, then it slid into taboo territory and grew extra lives in British slang. By the 20th century, bollocks was doing solid work as nonsense, rubbish, and screw-up, with Never Mind the Bollocks giving it a massive cultural boost in 1977.
Other ways to say it
Editors of this term
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