interjection General Slang

Applesauce

/ˈæpəlˌsɔːs/ · interjection · slang

Flapper-era way to call something nonsense, like saying 'baloney' or 'bunk.'

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Definitions

1

A mild, almost cute substitute for a harsher curse of disbelief.

“Applesauce, the train's late again.”
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2

An exclamation dismissing what was just said as nonsense, flattery, or lies.

“You walked ten miles in the snow? Applesauce!”
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3

Used as a noun for foolish talk or empty flattery.

“That's a load of applesauce and you know it.”
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Applesauce In A Sentence

He says he danced with a movie star. Applesauce.
Don't feed me that applesauce about being broke.
Applesauce! Nobody's that lucky at cards.

Origin & Usage

A 1920s American slang exclamation of disbelief, in the same family as 'baloney' and 'horsefeathers.' Cartoonist T.A. Dorgan is often credited with popularizing it in the press of the era.

Variants apple sauce
Tags #1920s#flapper#jazz-age#prohibition#vintage#exclamation

People Also Ask

What does 'applesauce' mean in slang?

It's a 1920s way of calling something nonsense or flattery. Like shouting 'baloney!' when you don't buy a story.

Where did 'applesauce' come from?

From jazz-age American slang. It joined a cluster of food-based dismissals like baloney and was spread by newspaper cartoonists.

Why apples?

The food image is arbitrary, much like 'baloney.' The bland, mushy connotation made it a fitting word for empty talk.

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