| Nonsense or trash. Can mean literal garbage or something worthless. | United Kingdom, English. From Middle English “robouse,” meaning refuse. | “That’s rubbish!” “Take out the rubbish.” | UK, Ireland, Commonwealth countries |
Slang Description: rubbish
“Rubbish” is used to mean either garbage or “nonsense.”
Origin: Traces back to Middle English and French words for refuse.
Who used it first: Everyday British English since the 1400s.
Modern use: Still common — can describe literal trash or bad ideas.
Examples in conversation:
- “Your excuse is rubbish.”
- “The movie was absolute rubbish.”
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