deadwood

[ ded-woo d ]

/ ˈdɛdˌwʊd /

the dead branches on a tree; dead branches or trees.

useless or burdensome persons or things: He cut the deadwood from his staff.

(in writing) unnecessary words, phrases, or exposition; expendable verbiage.

Nautical. a solid construction, serving only as reinforcement, located between the keel of a vessel and the stem or sternpost.

Bowling. pins remaining on the alley after having been knocked down by the ball.

Cards.

Rummy. cards in a hand that have not been included in sets and are usually counted as points against the holder.
Poker. cards that have been discarded.

Origin of deadwood

First recorded in 1720–30; dead + wood¹

I thought for a minute that I had put on my Deadwood DVD by mistake.

In Dinesh D’Souza’s ‘America,’ Slavery Wasn’t So Bad, but Hillary and Barack Are Socialist Devils |Andrew Romano |June 30, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
In 2004, I was in grad school, and Deadwood, The Wire, and The Sopranos were all on HBO.

Inside the Obsessive, Strange Mind of True Detective’s Nic Pizzolatto |Andrew Romano |February 4, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
For the time being, the girls are living with friends in Deadwood, South Dakota.

The Westboro Defectors Speak: Phelps Granddaughters Embrace Tolerance |John Avlon |March 8, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
Milch, who wrote such superb shows as NYPD Blue and Deadwood and also penned Luck, is a disgrace as well.

HBO’s ‘Luck’ Runs Out as Show Is Canceled After Three Horses Die |Buzz Bissinger |March 19, 2012 |DAILY BEAST

Ferguson later quipped, "Better plywood leadership than deadwood leadership!"

The Reboot Begins |Randall Lane |October 23, 2010 |DAILY BEAST
And, besides, Deadwood Dick—whom he had feared if he feared any man—was his prisoner!

Deadwood Dick Jr. Branded |Ed. L. Wheeler
We've got to hurry and catch it, or it will run clean into Deadwood and crawl down a gold mine.

The Voyage of the Rattletrap |Hayden Carruth
Deadwood Dick was peering over the edge of the ledge, at a point where a shadow protected him.

Deadwood Dick Jr. Branded |Ed. L. Wheeler
Deadwood Dick gave a start, partly raised his right hand, and fell forward on his face.

Deadwood Dick Jr. Branded |Ed. L. Wheeler
He gave this roadway needed artificial improvements, and started the Deadwood and Medora stage-line.

Roosevelt in the Bad Lands |H. Hagedorn.

deadwood

/ (ˈdɛdˌwʊd) /

dead trees or branches

informal a useless person; encumbrance

nautical a filler piece between the keel and the stern of a wooden vessel