rubbish
UK: ˈrʌbɪʃ | US: ˈrʌbɪʃ
n. waste material; worthless or nonsensical ideas or statements
vt. (informal) to criticize or dismiss as worthless
rubbish = rubb<likely from "rubble" or dialectal "rubb"> + ish<adjective/noun suffix>
- rubb<possibly related to "rubble" (fragments) or dialectal term for refuse>
- ish<suffix forming nouns/adjectives, often indicating origin or nature>
Etymology Origin:
The word "rubbish" likely emerged in late Middle English, influenced by Anglo-Norman rubous or rubbous (meaning debris). Its connection to "rubble" suggests a focus on fragmented waste. The suffix "-ish" (common in English) generalizes the term to denote the nature of something as worthless or discarded. Over time, it expanded metaphorically to describe nonsensical ideas or criticism.
The alley was filled with piles of rubbish after the festival.
Don’t talk rubbish—your argument makes no sense.
She rubbished his proposal during the meeting.
The documentary exposed the rubbish dumped in the ocean.
His excuse was pure rubbish; nobody believed him.