dud

[duhd] /dʌd/
noun
1.
a device, person, or enterprise that proves to be a failure.
2.
a shell or missile that fails to explode after being fired.
Origin
1815-25; special use of dud, singular of duds
Synonyms
1. fiasco, debacle, fizzle, miscarriage.

duds

[duhdz] /dʌdz/
plural noun, Informal.
1.
clothes, especially a suit of clothes.
2.
belongings in general.
Origin
1275-1325; Middle English dudde; perhaps akin to Low German dudel coarse sackcloth
British Dictionary definitions for dud

dud

/dʌd/
noun
1.
a person or thing that proves ineffectual or a failure
2.
a shell, etc, that fails to explode
3.
(pl) (old-fashioned) clothes or other personal belongings
adjective
4.
failing in its purpose or function: a dud cheque
Word Origin
C15 (in the sense: an article of clothing, a thing, used disparagingly): of unknown origin
Word Origin and History for dud
n.

c.1825, "person in ragged clothing," from duds (q.v.). Sense extended by 1897 to "counterfeit thing," and 1908 to "useless, inefficient person or thing." This led naturally in World War I to "shell which fails to explode," and thence to "expensive failure."

duds

n.

c.1300, dudde "cloak, mantle," later in plural, "ragged clothing" (1560s), of uncertain origin.

Slang definitions & phrases for dud

dud

modifier

: a dud bomb

noun
  1. A failure: The show's a dud/ He was a bit of a dud (1908+)
  2. A shell or bomb that fails to explode (WWI armed forces)

duds

noun

Clothing; threads: To see them washed and put in and out of their duds was perhaps the greatest pleasure of her life

[1300+; origin unknown; perhaps fr one or another English or Celtic words meaning ''cloth, rag'']