How Do You Spell HORSEFEATHERS?

Pronunciation: [hˈɔːsfɛðəz] (IPA)

Horsefeathers is a word commonly used to express disbelief or nonsense. The spelling of this word can be a bit tricky as it does not follow typical English spelling rules. In IPA phonetic transcription, horsefeathers would be written as /hɔrsˌfɛðərz/. The "rs" sound is represented twice to indicate the strong emphasis on the "r" sound in the word. The "e" in the second syllable is pronounced as a short "e" sound, as in "bed". Despite its unusual spelling, horsefeathers remains a popular and frequently used expression.

HORSEFEATHERS Meaning and Definition

1. Horsefeathers is a slang term that can be used as a noun or an interjection, primarily in American English. It is typically used to convey a sense of disbelief, ridicule, or incredulity towards a statement or situation.

   As a noun, horsefeathers refers to nonsensical or foolish talk, ideas, or actions. It suggests that something is absurd, ridiculous, or untrue, often used to dismiss or mock the validity or credibility of a claim, excuse, or explanation. For example, one might say, "Don't pay attention to his excuses, it's all just horsefeathers."

   As an interjection, horsefeathers is used to express surprise, disbelief, or disagreement. It can be seen as a milder and more humorous alternative to expletives or profanity. For instance, if someone makes an outlandish claim, one might respond with a chuckle and say, "Well, horsefeathers! I can't believe you actually think that."

   The term horsefeathers originated in the early 1900s, potentially derived from the phrase "full of horse feathers," which referred to a person being deceitful or dishonest. Over time, it has evolved to encompass a broader meaning of nonsense or absurdity. Horsefeathers is informal and colloquial in nature, often used in casual conversations, informal writing, or humorous contexts.

Common Misspellings for HORSEFEATHERS

• gorsefeathers
• borsefeathers
• norsefeathers
• jorsefeathers
• uorsefeathers
• yorsefeathers
• hirsefeathers
• hkrsefeathers
• hlrsefeathers
• hprsefeathers
• h0rsefeathers
• h9rsefeathers
• hoesefeathers
• hodsefeathers
• hofsefeathers
• hotsefeathers
• ho5sefeathers
• ho4sefeathers
• horaefeathers
• horzefeathers

Etymology of HORSEFEATHERS

The etymology of the word "horsefeathers" can be traced back to the early 20th century in the United States. It is believed to be a euphemistic alteration of the word "horse****", which itself originated in the late 19th century as a playful or euphemistic way to refer to nonsense or rubbish. "Horsefeathers" was created as a whimsical replacement, likely to avoid the perceived vulgarity of the original term. The word combines "horse", referring to the animal, and "feathers", which further emphasizes the absurdity or insignificance of the matter being described. Over time, "horsefeathers" became a colloquial expression to convey disbelief, incredulity, or dismissal of something considered untrue or ridiculous.