ShopCodswallop
March 19, 2009 by Webmaster
Filed under Words and Phrases
What a load of old codswallop! What on earth does this really mean?
In 1872, Hiram C Codd went into business selling lemonade in green glass bottles with marble stoppers.
‘Wallop’ was a nineteenth century slang term used for beer and Codd’s wallop is said to have become a disparaging term amongst beer drinkers for mineral waters and weak drinks, such as Codd’s lemonade.
These days the application of the word has spread to refer to anything of no value.
Interestingly enough, Codd’s bottles have since become of great value.
Apparently, Bate’s Mineral Water is the new Codd’s Wallop, and is sold in various top stores and restaurants.
