- Worthless, trivial, uninteresting, or meant only for the foolish or gullible.
Explanation
Origin
- Likely stems from the observation that birds eat small, insignificant scraps (like breadcrumbs) or even horse droppings left on the street, implying something is only fit for birds and therefore worthless to humans.
- Another theory connects it to US military slang from WWII or the Korean War, possibly related to the sound of birds or used dismissively.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- BS / Bullshit
- Crap / Load of crap
- Wack (slang for bad or crazy)
- Lame
- Codswallop (UK, dated, humorous)
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- Utter bullshit
- Fucking worthless
- A crock of shit
Milder/Standard:
- Nonsense
- Not worthwhile
- Impractical
- Pointless
- Not worth considering
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal.
- Best used in casual conversation. Avoid in formal settings or professional contexts where it might sound rude or overly dismissive.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Non-native speakers might take it literally, thinking it refers to actual birds, bird feed, or something positive for nature. The negative, dismissive meaning is key.
Examples
- That complicated investment scheme sounds like it's strictly for the birds.
- He thinks his advice is profound, but honestly, it's for the birds.
Dialogue
Liam: Did you see that proposal to solve traffic by building personal zip lines?
Chloe: Ha! Yeah, I saw that. Sounds completely for the birds to me.
Liam: Right? Totally impractical.
Social Media Examples
- Tweet: Trying to understand these new social media algorithms... feels like it's all for the birds. Just let me see my friends' posts! #SocialMedia #Frustrated
- Comment: His excuses for missing the deadline? Yeah, those were for the birds. 🙄
Response Patterns
- Agreement: Yeah, totally useless. / I agree, what a waste of time.
- Shared sentiment: Tell me about it. / You can say that again.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
- Suggesting an alternative: So what's a better approach? / What should we do instead?
- Dismissing the topic: Anyway, let's move on.
Conversation Starter
- No. Usually used mid-conversation to express a negative opinion or dismiss an idea.
Intonation
- Often said with a dismissive, skeptical, or slightly contemptuous tone.
- Stress typically falls on birds.
- That whole idea is for the BIRDS.
Generation Differences
- Feels slightly dated. More commonly heard from older generations (Baby Boomers, Gen X), but still generally understood by younger people.
Regional Variations
- Primarily American English, though understood in other English-speaking regions.