For the birds

Definitions

• Dismiss or disregard something as unimportant or meaningless
  To express that something is insignificant or not worth considering

• Uninteresting or tedious
  To describe something as dull or unentertaining

• Crazy or absurd
  To describe something as irrational or nonsensical

Examples of For the birds

• That new job offer is for the birds.

  This idiom is used to express that the job offer is not desirable or valuable. It comes from the idea that birds often discard or ignore things that are not useful to them, such as food that is not edible or objects that are not necessary for their survival. By saying that the job offer is "for the birds," you are implying that it is not worth considering or pursuing.

• I'm not interested in that kind of music. It's for the birds.

  In this example, the idiom is used to describe a type of music that is not appealing or popular. It suggests that the music is not enjoyed by many people and is considered uninteresting or irrelevant.

• That car is a lemon. It's for the birds.

  This idiom is used to describe a car that is defective or unreliable. It implies that the car is not worth buying or driving, and that it is not desirable or valuable to others either.

• I don't want to go to that party. It's for the birds.

  In this example, the idiom is used to describe a social event that is not enjoyable or appealing. It suggests that the party is not popular or well-attended, and that it is not a desirable social gathering.

• That restaurant is for the birds. The food is terrible.

  This idiom is used to describe a restaurant that serves poor-quality food. It implies that the restaurant is not popular or well-regarded, and that the food is not desirable or valuable to others either.

Conclusion

The idiom "for the birds" is typically used to dismiss or diminish the importance of something. It can be used to indicate that something is uninteresting, tedious, or even absurd. It is often used in a negative context to express disappointment or dissatisfaction.

In some cases, the idiom can also be used to convey a sense of disbelief or incredulity. For example, if someone tells a ridiculous story, you might respond with "that's for the birds!" to express your disbelief.

Overall, the idiom "for the birds" is a versatile phrase that can be used in a variety of situations to convey a sense of insignificance, dullness, or irrationality.

Origin of "For the birds"

The origin of the idiom "for the birds" is uncertain, but there are a few theories as to how it came about.

One theory suggests that the phrase originated from horse racing. In the early 1900s, birds were often used as a distraction for horses during races. They would be released at the start of the race and would fly around, causing the horses to be easily spooked. Because of this, the phrase "for the birds" was used to describe a poor or disappointing performance by a horse.

Another theory suggests that the phrase comes from the practice of feeding leftover food to birds. In the early 1900s, this was a common practice among soldiers and prisoners. The phrase "it's only fit for the birds" was used to dismiss the lack of quality or taste in the food.

Regardless of its origin, the idiom "for the birds" has been in use since the early 20th century and has evolved to encompass a variety of meanings. It is now a commonly used phrase in everyday language, often used to convey a sense of disdain or unimportance towards something.