bilgewater

Hull's foul accumulation

Bilgewater is the foul-smelling water that collects in a ship's bilge—the lowest interior compartment where seepage and runoff accumulate.

The word extends to anything worthless or nonsensical: That's pure bilgewater.

The figurative use captures both the idea of waste and the contempt one might feel for stagnant, fetid liquid.

nonsense

rubbish

Waste or nonsense

drivelSenseless, silly talk
hogwashFoolish or untrue talk
balderdashSenseless talk or writing

claptrap · twaddle · poppycock · bunk · codswallop · tommyrot · gibberish · foolishness · absurdity · rot

filth

sludge

Semi-solid waste material

muckFilthy wet dirt
sewageLiquid refuse in drains
scumSurface residue or lowlifes

waste · contamination · pollution · grime · stagnation · foulness · stench · putrid · rancid · oily

nautical

ballast

Ship stability material

keelHull's structural base
holdMaintain in grasp
hullOuter covering or frame

seawater · shipboard · scuttle · pumping · leak · seepage · stagnant · foul · deck · galley

disparagement

contempt

Disdainful disregard

denigrationUnjust attack on reputation
belittlingExpressing contempt or dismissiveness
dismissalRemoval from position

derision · scorn · disdain · mockery · ridicule · put-down · insult · slight · deprecation · disrespect

Opposites

water purity/quality

bilgewaterpure water

Uncontaminated H₂O

clean water · freshwater · spring water · drinking water · fresh water

discourse quality

bilgewatertruth

Accordance with reality

wisdom · sense · gospel · fact · insight

quality/value

bilgewatergold

Element seventy-nine

treasure · masterpiece · gem · excellence · quality

Family

water, bilge, underwater, saltwater, freshwater, waterlogged, waterlog, waterline, overwater

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Negative · Rated G