for the birds
English
Etymology
From birds pecking at horse dung, originally US Army slang, 1940s[1].
Pronunciation
Audio (AU): (file)
Adjective
for the birds (not comparable)
- (idiomatic, informal) Worthless; useless; pointless; not deserving serious consideration.
- 1946, "Radio: Early Bird," Time, 2 Sept.:
- Says he: "This gettin' up at 5 o'clock is something for the birds."
- 2004, Colin Brown, "Council tax to be replaced by new levy on incomes," telegraph.co.uk, 15 Feb. (retrieved 4 Aug. 2009):
- One ally of the Deputy Prime Minister said: "This is blue-sky thinking, but it is strictly for the birds. It is going to cost billions."
- 2015, "Saints, Pelicans owner Tom Benson confident as trial closes," ESPN:
- When asked if the trial has taken a lot out of him, Benson said, "Ahh, no, man. You know, it's not fun, it's not any fun. To have your kids turn against you, that's for the birds."
- 1946, "Radio: Early Bird," Time, 2 Sept.: