bilge water

• Terme marin désignant l'eau sale et malodorante qui s'accumule dans la cale (partie la plus basse de la coque d'un navire). Au sens figuré, il peut aussi signifier des propos absurdes ou vides de sens.

A nautical term referring to the dirty, foul-smelling water that collects in the bilge (the lowest part of a ship's hull). Figuratively, it can also mean nonsense or worthless talk.

1. Nautical termC1formal

   The dirty, often oily water that collects in the bilge (the lowest compartment) of a ship.

   Eau de cale

   • The crew had to pump out the bilge water to keep the ship stable.
   • Bilge water often contains oil, grease, and other contaminants.
   • The smell of bilge water was overwhelming in the lower deck.

2. Nonsense or rubbishC2informalbritish

   Used figuratively to describe something that is worthless, nonsensical, or of very poor quality.

   Balivernes

   • Don't listen to him; everything he says is bilge water.
   • That article is complete bilge water, full of false claims.
   • His speech was just bilge water, with no real substance.