Definition

1. Noun (plural):
   • Nonsense, rubbish: Used as a slang term to express that something is foolish, untrue, or worthless.
   • (Vulgar slang) A man's testicles: Originating from Cockney rhyming slang, where "cobbler's awl" rhymes with "ball".

Usage

• The word "cobblers" is primarily used in informal British English.
• When meaning "nonsense", it is often used in phrases like "a load of cobblers" or "that's cobblers".
• The anatomical meaning is considered vulgar and is less common in general usage.

Examples

• Meaning "nonsense":
  • His excuse for being late was absolute cobblers.
  • Don't listen to him; he's talking a load of cobblers.
• Meaning "testicles" (vulgar):
  • He got kicked right in the cobblers.

Advanced Usage

• "That's a load of (old) cobblers": A common idiomatic phrase emphasizing that something is complete nonsense.
  • The politician's promise is a load of old cobblers.

Variants and Related Words

• Cobbler (noun): A person who repairs shoes. This is the standard, non-slang meaning from which the slang term originates.
• Cobble (verb): To repair shoes, or to put together roughly.

Synonyms

• For "nonsense": Rubbish, baloney, poppycock, drivel, twaddle.
• For "testicles" (vulgar): Balls, nuts, family jewels.

Related Idioms

• "A load of cobblers": Complete nonsense.
  • The whole story was a load of cobblers from start to finish.

Noun

1. a man's testicles (from Cockney rhyming slang: cobbler's awl rhymes with ball)
2. nonsense
   • I think that is a load of cobblers