tosh

Definition

Copper; items made of copper.

Etymology

From 19th-century British thieves' cant, of uncertain origin. Perhaps from *tarsh, a metathetic alteration of trash; or from toss. Sense of nonsense possibly influenced by tush (“nonsense! tsk tsk!”) attested from 15th century.

Example Sentences

• "The sewer-hunters were formerly, and indeed are still, called by the name of "Toshers," the articles which they pick up in the course of their wanderings along shore being known among themselves by the general term "tosh," a word more particularly applied by them to anything made of copper."
• "I am present engaged in fishing for tosh in the sewers of Blastburn."
• "To think what I've gone through to hear that man! Frightful tosh it'll be, too."