nounpl: claptrap or claptraps
balela, conversa fiada, pura conversa de salão
1. Absurd or pretentious talk; nonsense or rubbish, especially when intended to deceive or impress
The politician's speech was nothing but claptrap designed to win votes.
O discurso do político não era nada além de balela projetada para ganhar votos.
2. Showy but worthless material or objects; cheap or shoddy goods
The store was full of claptrap merchandise that fell apart after a week.
A loja estava cheia de mercadorias de má qualidade que caíam aos pedaços após uma semana.
3. Insincere or bombastic language, often theatrical in nature
His emotional claptrap didn't fool anyone in the audience.
Sua conversa fiada emocional não enganou ninguém na plateia.
The word 'claptrap' originated in 19th-century theater, referring to devices or tricks used to elicit applause from audiences. It has evolved to describe any insincere or deceptive speech. In Brazilian Portuguese, 'balela' and 'conversa fiada' carry similar theatrical and deceptive connotations, often used in informal contexts to dismiss someone's excuses or false promises. The term remains relevant in contemporary discourse when criticizing political rhetoric or advertising claims.
NYC Slang
BS, baloney, malarkey, the works (as in 'that's all claptrap and the works')
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