Quick answer
Horsefeathers means nonsense or rubbish. It is usually used as a comic, old-fashioned exclamation when someone wants to reject a claim.
Word page
Horsefeathers Meaning
Horsefeathers means nonsense, absurd talk, or complete rubbish. Horsefeathers is a deliberately ridiculous word for nonsense. It is useful when a plain "that is not true" would work, but a more colorful dismissal would be much more fun.
At a glance
Victorian and Edwardian CuriositiesSpeech, Noise, and Verbal NonsenseFunny-Sounding Words
How to say it
Pronunciation tip: say horsefeathers with a clear stress pattern: HORSS-feh-thurz.
Meaning in plain English
In plain English, horsefeathers is a way to say that something is nonsense. It often appears as a reaction to an absurd claim, a silly excuse, or a story that sounds impossible.
Tone, context, and nuance
Horsefeathers is less serious than lie and more theatrical than nonsense. It sounds intentionally quaint, so it works best in playful writing, dialogue, or commentary with a wink.
Example sentences
- Simple: Horsefeathers! That story cannot be true.
- Everyday: He called the rumor horsefeathers and closed the newspaper.
- Writing: The detective listened politely, then dismissed the alibi as horsefeathers.
- Nuance: Horsefeathers sounds playful, while "lie" sounds direct and accusatory.
- Awkward: "The chair is horsefeathers." Better: "The claim about the chair is horsefeathers."
Common mistakes
| Common mistake | Better guidance |
|---|---|
| Using it in serious fact-checking | For serious claims, use "false," "unsupported," or "misleading." |
| Treating it as modern neutral vocabulary | Horsefeathers sounds old-fashioned and comic. |
| Using it for a person | A claim can be horsefeathers; a person is not usually "a horsefeathers." |
| Forgetting it can be an exclamation | You can simply say "Horsefeathers!" as a playful rejection. |
Synonyms and similar words
| Similar word | Difference or nuance |
|---|---|
| poppycock | Old-fashioned comic nonsense. |
| codswallop | British-flavored informal nonsense. |
| balderdash | Theatrical old-fashioned nonsense. |
| bunkum | Empty or insincere rhetoric. |
| rubbish | Plain informal dismissal, especially in British English. |
Opposite words
truth, sense, evidence, credibility, sound reasoning
Word family
Horsefeathers is usually a plural-form mass noun or an interjection. It is not normally used as a verb.
Word origin
Horsefeathers is associated with American English and became popular in the early twentieth century as a comic substitute for stronger dismissive language.
Writing tip
Use horsefeathers when the tone can be funny. If you need a calm correction, choose "that is not accurate" instead.
Common questions
- What does horsefeathers mean in simple words? Horsefeathers means nonsense, rubbish, or absurd talk.
- How do you pronounce horsefeathers? Horsefeathers is pronounced HORSS-feh-thurz.
- Is horsefeathers rude? It is dismissive, but usually comic rather than offensive.
- Is horsefeathers still used today? Yes, but it sounds old-fashioned and playful.
- What is another word for horsefeathers? Similar words include poppycock, codswallop, balderdash, bunkum, and rubbish.
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Editorial note
Edited by Absurd Words. Last updated: May 14, 2026. See the editorial policy for how definitions, examples, labels, and update checks are handled on the site.