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  What it means

  Literally “tarred oaks” — an archaic and opaque phrase. Means complete nonsense, rubbish, or gibberish. Used when someone is talking absolute drivel.

  Vocabulary

  • duby — oaks (archaic plural)
  • smalone — tarred, smoked (archaic past passive participle)

  Cultural context

  The origin is obscure and debated — the phrase has been in use since at least the 19th century. Its very opacity adds to its charm.

  Intermediate

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