flummery

Meanings

1. A custard; any of several bland, gelatinous foodstuffs, usually made from stewed fruit and thickened with oatmeal, cornstarch or flour.
2. A slightly tart, jelly-like food of Welsh origin, made from extensively boiling oats, then boiling down the liquid extracted from it.
3. Empty or meaningless talk, especially when used to flatter.
4. Pretentious trappings, useless ornaments used to impress.
5. Deceptive or blustering speech.

1. An expression of contemptuous disbelief.

Etymology

Borrowed from Welsh llymru (“a sour jelly derived from boiled oatmeal”), of uncertain origin, perhaps related to llymrig (“slippery”). For phonetic development, compare origin of Floyd.