Bilge

Noun

Definition: The lowest part of a ship's hull, where water and waste collect.

Definition: Nonsense or foolish talk.

Synonyms: Nonsense, Rubbish, Balderdash

Antonyms: Sense, Logic

Examples:
  • Water was leaking into the bilge of the ship.
  • I can't stand listening to his bilge about politics.
Mnemonics:
  • The bilge of a ship is a low, dirty area where waste collects, similar to nonsense or foolish talk.

Etymology:

Origin:

Middle English 'bilge' (noun), from Old French 'bille' or 'bille du navire', meaning "bill" or "trunk of a tree", possibly influenced by Old Norse 'forbilmja' meaning "bottom plank of a ship's side".

Historical Usage:

The term 'bilge' has been used since the Middle Ages to refer to the lowest part of a ship's hull. The figurative usage to describe nonsense or foolish talk emerged later.

Related Idioms:

Idiom:

"Pump out the bilge"

Explanation:

This phrase refers to getting rid of or eliminating falsehoods, lies, or nonsense.

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

Bilge is always associated with waste or nonsense.

Explanation:

While the primary use of 'bilge' is in reference to the lower part of a ship's hull or nonsense talk, it can also be used figuratively to describe the contents of a cask or barrel, as mentioned in your approximate meaning. This usage, however, is less common in contemporary language.

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