Use hogwash informally and emphatically to dismiss something as completely without merit: 'that's utter hogwash'. It is more colourful and forceful than 'nonsense' and typical of American English, though widely understood. Uncountable noun — no plural.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| These hogwashes need to stop. | This hogwash needs to stop. (uncountable — no plural) |
| The report contained hogwash. | The report contained nonsense/misinformation. (hogwash is too informal for a professional report) |
As an interjection, hogwash! stands alone to reject a claim outright. It is emphatic and slightly old-fashioned, common in American English. Softer alternatives include 'nonsense!', 'rubbish!', or 'baloney!'
| Incorrect | Correct |
| Hogwash! I reject your findings on methodological grounds. | That is incorrect. I reject your findings on methodological grounds. (hogwash is too informal for a professional rebuttal) |
Use hogwash informally and emphatically to dismiss claims as nonsense. It is uncountable (no plural) and typically American in flavour. As an interjection, it stands alone as a sharp rejection. Too informal for professional or formal writing.
Hogwash is uncountable — no plural form. It is informal and unsuitable for formal contexts. As an interjection it can sound comic or dated; in serious professional disagreement, choose more neutral language.
A compound of hog (pig) and wash (kitchen slops, liquid refuse used to feed pigs). Literally, the watery food scraps fed to hogs — hence something worthless and unfit for human consumption. Attested in the literal sense from the 15th century; the figurative sense of 'nonsense, rubbish' is widely found in American English from the mid-19th century onward.
What does hogwash mean?
Hogwash means complete nonsense — speech, ideas, or writing that are foolish, untrue, or without merit. It is also used as an interjection to dismiss a claim: 'Hogwash! That's simply not true.' The word is informal and typically American.
Where does the word hogwash come from?
Hogwash literally meant kitchen slops or watery refuse fed to pigs (hog + wash). Because this liquid was worthless and unfit for human use, the word came to describe any worthless speech or ideas. The figurative sense is widely attested in American English from the mid-19th century.
Is hogwash a rude word?
Hogwash is informal but not offensive or rude in the way that profanity is. It is a colourful dismissal — stronger than 'nonsense' but not vulgar. It may sound comical or slightly old-fashioned to younger speakers.
What are synonyms for hogwash?
Common synonyms include: nonsense, rubbish (British), baloney, drivel, poppycock, twaddle, bunk, claptrap, and balderdash. All describe foolish or worthless talk, with varying degrees of formality and national register.
Can hogwash be used as a verb?
No. Hogwash is used only as a noun ('that's hogwash') or an interjection ('Hogwash!'). There is no verb form.