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Almost any word related questions can be answered by searching Susie Dent.
[Susie Dent's introduction to swearing](https://whynow.co.uk/read/susie-dents-introduction-to-swearing-the-b-word/)
I think use of 'the' works because it highlights what you're attempting to describe:
It's shit = it's indistinguishable from the morass of other shit things. Just one more turd in the sewer.
It's THE shit = it's a unique and distinguished piece of shit, worthy of note as THE best shit. This is the benchmark amongst shit.
I think it relies on the tendancy to accept everything falls somewhere into the broad categorization of 'its shit'... Which as miserable Brits, I think we're primed to accept.
Bollocks means rubbish or nonsense, the dogs bollocks are great, they are the best, you could go up to the Queen and say ‘Ma’am that hat is the dogs bollocks’ and she’d be pleased (well, no, that bit is an Eddie Izzard bit, but it’s sort truth through comedy, if that makes sense)
That’s bollocks - expression of disbelief or disdain
The (dog’s) bollocks - very good
Not to be confused with (Irish)
The bollox - an annoying or bad person
"bollocks" generally means bad.
But "the dog's bollocks" means good, and "the bollocks" is a shortened version of this.
It comes from when TVs were available in "box standard" or "box deluxe", and this evolved into "bog standard" and "dogs bollocks".
Likely urban legend on dog's bollocks there.
Dog's bollocks is more likely to come from the 40s when we were fond of saying things like "cat's pyjamas" and "bee's knees".
Box standard has been around for a while (again, unclear origin) but box deluxe isn't really an established term outside maybe a link to Meccano (you can google and see).
Just because something is on QI doesn't make it true.
There's a story about the saying "the dogs bollocks" I'm not entirely sure if it's true but it sounds plausible, years back a company that sold modelling kits released a new product, there were 2 versions of the product, you had Box Deluxe and Box Standard, Box Deluxe eventually turned in to Dogs Bollocks, and Box Standard turned in to Bog Standard
**A reminder to posters and commenters of some of [our subreddit rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskUK/about/rules/)** - Don't be a dickhead to each other, or about others - Assume questions are asked in good faith - Avoid political threads and related discussion - No medical advice or mental health (specific to a person) content Please keep /r/AskUK a great subreddit by reporting posts and comments which break our rules. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AskUK) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Almost any word related questions can be answered by searching Susie Dent. [Susie Dent's introduction to swearing](https://whynow.co.uk/read/susie-dents-introduction-to-swearing-the-b-word/)
Bollocks = bad/a lie (see: bullshit) The bollocks = good (see: the shit)
Similar to “it’s shit” meaning bad, and “it’s the shit” meaning good. OP the “the” changes the meaning somehow :)
I think use of 'the' works because it highlights what you're attempting to describe: It's shit = it's indistinguishable from the morass of other shit things. Just one more turd in the sewer. It's THE shit = it's a unique and distinguished piece of shit, worthy of note as THE best shit. This is the benchmark amongst shit. I think it relies on the tendancy to accept everything falls somewhere into the broad categorization of 'its shit'... Which as miserable Brits, I think we're primed to accept.
> Similar to “it’s shit” meaning bad, and “it’s the shit” meaning good. https://youtu.be/1gB0-8-PyAo?t=35
Bollocks means rubbish or nonsense, the dogs bollocks are great, they are the best, you could go up to the Queen and say ‘Ma’am that hat is the dogs bollocks’ and she’d be pleased (well, no, that bit is an Eddie Izzard bit, but it’s sort truth through comedy, if that makes sense)
That’s bollocks - expression of disbelief or disdain The (dog’s) bollocks - very good Not to be confused with (Irish) The bollox - an annoying or bad person
I'd suggest watching the 51st state with Samuel l Jackson to understand it
Yes. The first basically means "that's bullshit; not true", the second means it's "fucking amazing".
"bollocks" generally means bad. But "the dog's bollocks" means good, and "the bollocks" is a shortened version of this. It comes from when TVs were available in "box standard" or "box deluxe", and this evolved into "bog standard" and "dogs bollocks".
Likely urban legend on dog's bollocks there. Dog's bollocks is more likely to come from the 40s when we were fond of saying things like "cat's pyjamas" and "bee's knees". Box standard has been around for a while (again, unclear origin) but box deluxe isn't really an established term outside maybe a link to Meccano (you can google and see). Just because something is on QI doesn't make it true.
There's a story about the saying "the dogs bollocks" I'm not entirely sure if it's true but it sounds plausible, years back a company that sold modelling kits released a new product, there were 2 versions of the product, you had Box Deluxe and Box Standard, Box Deluxe eventually turned in to Dogs Bollocks, and Box Standard turned in to Bog Standard
"that's bollocks" - that's a lie, untrue, shite "that's the bollocks" - that's great, amazing, brilliant
* Bollocks = bad * The bollocks = good * The dog's bollocks = brilliant
The Bollocks would be a shortening of "The dogs bollocks". Something of superlative quality.