For the Birds – Meaning, Origin & Usage
You occasionally hear the phrase “for the birds” or “strictly for the birds” when the circumstances have nothing to do with birds at all. This is because the two phrases are idioms not to be taken literally.
In this article, we’re going to be covering what the phrase means, the first recorded use of the term, and where the phrase may have been derived from. We will also cover similar expressions and example uses of the term. Let’s get straight to it.
What does “for the birds””mean?
The saying “for the birds” is used to express how something is trivial, worthless, pointless, foolish, or unimportant. For example, at the end of a meeting, once all the key information is delivered and discussed, the chair might close with “The rest is for the birds”.
Some people use the phrase “strictly for the birds” to mean the same thing.
Historical origins of the phrase “for the birds”
The first known recorded use of the phrase “for the birds” was in a Massachusetts newspaper called the Lowell Sun during World War 2, specifically in October 1944. In an interview about sport at the Camp Ellis Internment Camp in Illinois The US military sergeant, Buck Erickson said:
“Don’t take too seriously this belief that we have football at Camp Ellis solely for the entertainment of the personnel – that’s strictly for the birds. The army is a winner the army likes to win – that’s the most fortunate thing in the world for America.”
The phrase is thought by some to have a more vulgar origin, and is believed to have been derived from the term “shit for the birds” and the idea of birds picking out seeds from horse droppings. Meaning that no-one other than the birds would be interested in it.
Idioms and expressions similar to “for the birds”
Besides the words used earlier to describe what is meant by the term “for the birds” or “strictly for the birds”, you can also use any of the following words or phrases in its place:
- Not good enough
- Unwelcome
- Unworthy
- Poor
- Lame
- No good
- Unsuitable
- Mediocre
- Deficient
- Loony
- Nutty
- Fantastical
- Batty
- Harebrained
- Cuckoo
- Silly
- Absurd
- Ridiculous
- Stupid
- Crazy
- Comical
- Senseless
- Half-baked
- Farcical
- Dopey
- Idiotic
- Pathetic
- Daft
- Unwise
Example usage of the term “for the birds” in sentences
Here follows some examples of the phrase in sentences:
- Unfortunately, that pep rally out there is for the birds.
- His opinion on art is for the birds as far as I’m concerned.
- The last scheme you came up with was really for the birds.
- The idea that we can solve the climate crisis in the next 5 years is for the birds.
- All these arguments are for the birds philosophically anyway.
- A pub quiz on general knowledge is for the birds. There’s nothing to be gained from it, it’s a complete waste of time.
Final word
So, in summary, the phrase “for the birds”, or alternatively “strictly for the birds” is used to express how something is trivial, worthless, pointless, foolish, or unimportant. There are many synonyms that you can use in its place if you prefer.
