- The term combines the quality of 24-karat gold, which is 100% pure gold, with the word bull, meaning empty or false statements. The contradiction of the two meanings was probably why this word was coined, since it showed a way to express a truly believable falsity.
24-karat bull
compounding; noun; slang
Pertaining to nonsensical or false statements that one genuinely believes or treats as truth.
Etymology : Compounding of the phrase 24-karat (in reference to 24-karat gold, which is pure), and bull 'empty boastful talk'
Source : "He told me he had finished working on his project, and I believed him. It was a bunch of 24-karat bull." - roommate, September 2008
Last modified: 3 December 2008