What exactly is “malarkey”? My mom always said I was full of it. It is Celtic for “poop” or something?

The Oxford English Dictionary (THE definitive dictionary for the language) defines malarkey as “Humbug, bunkum, nonsense; a palaver, racket. (Usually of an event, activity, idea, utterance, etc., seen as trivial, misleading, or not worthy of consideration.)”

As for it’s origin, the OED says “A surname Mullarkey, of Irish origin, exists, but no connection is known between any person of that name and this word. Another suggested etymology is from modern Greek.”

Given the at the word (including its various spellings) only first appeared in 1924, it is extremely unlikely that it is Celtic, or any other ancient language. Indeed, if the OED isn’t sure, they it truly is impossible to tell!

Here’s a nice definition:

“insincere or pretentious talk or writing designed to impress the hearer or reader and usually to distract attention from ulterior motives or actual conditions: bunkum, nonsense”

Talk to your Mom about what exactly she means when she says that word.

Words in families mean different things. My nationality, wording my parents used was differently used in my home than others home.

check it out with her, or other close family relatives.

According to Websters: Nonsensical talk.

its not poop. It means the same as bullsh*t. You are full of Bullsh*t. But I think its a slightly nice way of saying it. Like maybe someone might slap you for saying you are full of bullsh*t, but they wouldnt if said you are full of malarky. Actually its like saying you are full of baloney. Sort of like that.

I have no clue from where the word originated but your question made me laugh so thank you! 🙂

Btw, my mom used to say the same.

Have a great Sunday!

The same thing as ‘full of bologna’!

As a child…I heard that too. I guess it is whatever we think it is.