horsefeathers

Meaning

Noun

• Plural of horsefeather (singular not used)
• Nonsense; indicates disbelief.
• Long hair on lower legs of a draft horse (e.g., Clydesdale), especially the rear legs.
• Feathering strips.

Related

Opposite words

• spats

Origin

• The "nonsense" sense, a euphemism for horseshit, is horse + feathers, a nonexistent item as only birds have feathers. Compare hen's teeth.
• The "horse hair" sense notes the similarity of that hair to bird feathers.
• Regarding the roofing sense, compare feathering strip and horsefeathers.