The word cockamamie might sound a bit odd or even made-up, but it’s a real and colorful part of the English language. It’s used to describe something that is absurd, ridiculous, or nonsensical—usually in a way that’s dismissive or slightly humorous.
Origin of the Word
The roots of cockamamie are surprisingly tangled. It appears to have evolved from the word decalcomania, a French term for a type of decorative transfer print. In mid-20th century New York, children called temporary tattoos “cockamamies,” likely a playful mispronunciation of decalcomania. Over time, this slang shifted meaning to refer to anything that seemed silly or far-fetched.
By the 1940s and 1950s, cockamamie had entered broader American slang as a descriptor for harebrained schemes, far-out ideas, or implausible stories.
How It’s Used
When someone calls an idea cockamamie, they’re usually saying it’s not just wrong—it’s laughably wrong. It’s often used in conversation to express disbelief or to gently mock an idea without being overly harsh.
Examples:
- “You expect me to believe that cockamamie story?”
- “That’s the most cockamamie plan I’ve ever heard.”
Tone and Context
It’s a playful insult, not typically mean-spirited. It works well in informal conversation and writing where a bit of flair or humor is welcome. You might hear it in movies, old detective novels, or from someone with a flair for vintage expressions.
Modern Relevance
While cockamamie isn’t as commonly used as words like ridiculous or nonsense, it still pops up now and then, especially when someone wants to add a little color to their language. It’s one of those words that, once you start using it, tends to stick around in your vocabulary.
So the next time you hear a wild conspiracy theory or a truly off-the-wall suggestion, you’ll have just the word for it: cockamamie.
