Baloney

Origin of: Baloney

Baloney

This is an American expression, usually used as an interjection, meaning rubbish or nonsense, which dates from the late 19th/early 20th century. There are two theories about its origin. The first is that it comes from the word blarney brought to America by immigrant Irish, the second that it derives from bologna a cheap Italian-style sausage made up from bits and pieces, again, brought to America by immigrants. The OED and, more importantly, Merriam-Webster, both support the bologna origin.