cockamamie
or cock·a·ma·my
[ kok-uh-mey-mee ]
/ ˈkɒk əˌmeɪ mi /
adjective Slang.
ridiculous, pointless, or nonsensical: full of wild schemes and cockamamie ideas.
Origin of cockamamie
probably earlier than 1940–45,
Americanism; in orig. sense, paper strip with an image which could be transferred to the skin when moistened, apparently alteration of
decalcomania; sense “ridiculous” probably by association with
cock-and-bull story,
poppycock, etc.
Words nearby cockamamie
cock-of-the-rock,
cockabully,
cockade,
cockaigne,
cockalorum,
cockamamie,
cockapoo,
cockatiel,
cockatoo,
cockatrice,
cockayne
Example sentences from the Web for cockamamie
In this cockamamie get-rich scheme, would they all issue an apology if he cut a check?
I wonder how much the Federalist Society invested in this cockamamie responsible procreation idea.
“The whole ticking-time-bomb thesis is … so cockamamie,” said Carle.
Human Rights Watch: Prosecute Bush, Cheney Over Torture Crimes |R.M. Schneiderman |July 12, 2011 |DAILY BEASTTunku Varadarajan on other cockamamie American beliefs—and why so many cling to them.
British Dictionary definitions for cockamamie
cockamamie
/ (ˌkɒkəˈmeɪmɪ) /
adjective
slang, mainly US
ridiculous or nonsensical
a cockamamie story
Word Origin for cockamamie
C20: in an earlier sense: a paper transfer, prob. a variant of
decalcomania