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B2 verb #11,000 most common 8 min read

boloney

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips boloney in 30 Seconds

Explanation boloney in your Level:

The word 'boloney' as a verb means to say things that are not true or are very silly. Imagine a friend says they can fly like a bird. You know they cannot fly. You can say, 'Stop boloneying!' This means 'Stop saying silly things.' It is a funny and informal word. It comes from a type of meat (sausage) that people thought was not very good. So, when someone says something 'not very good' or 'not true,' we use this word. It is not a word for school or work, but it is good for talking with friends. Use it when you hear a story that sounds like a joke but is meant to be real. For example: 'Don't boloney me about the cookies; I saw you eat them!'

At the A2 level, you can use 'boloney' as a verb to describe when someone is telling a tall tale or a small lie. It is an informal verb. If your brother says he finished his chores but he didn't, he is 'boloneying' you. It is similar to the word 'kidding' or 'joking,' but it specifically means the information is nonsense. You can use it in the present continuous form: 'He is boloneying again.' This tells people that you don't believe what is being said. Remember, it's a very casual word, so use it with people you know well. It makes your English sound more natural and friendly, like a native speaker who is having fun with the language.

For B1 learners, 'boloney' serves as a colorful alternative to 'lie' or 'deceive' in casual contexts. To 'boloney' someone is to attempt to convince them of something that is clearly ridiculous or unfounded. It's often used when the speaker thinks the listener is being gullible. For example, if a salesperson makes impossible promises about a product, you might say they are 'boloneying the customers.' It suggests a certain level of disrespect for the truth. In terms of grammar, it functions as a regular verb (boloney, boloneyed, boloneying). It is particularly useful in informal debates where you want to dismiss an opponent's argument as being without merit without using a more aggressive term.

At the B2 level, 'boloney' is recognized as a colloquialism that captures a specific type of informal deception. It implies that the speaker is producing a 'smoke screen' of nonsense to avoid a direct answer or to hide a mistake. It is often used in political or social commentary to describe 'spin.' When a public figure gives a long, rambling answer that doesn't address the question, they are 'boloneying the press.' Understanding this word helps you grasp the nuance of American skepticism. It’s not just about the lie itself, but the *quality* of the lie—it's cheap, filler-like, and ultimately unconvincing. Using it correctly demonstrates a high level of cultural fluency and an understanding of informal registers.

C1 learners should appreciate 'boloney' as a verb for its rhetorical value in describing the dilution of truth. It characterizes a discourse that is intentionally vapid or misleading. In a C1 context, you might analyze how a text 'boloneys' its way through a complex issue by using platitudes and clichés instead of rigorous data. It is a verb that critiques the substance of a message. When someone 'boloneys' a topic, they are trivializing it with nonsense. This word is excellent for creative writing or high-level social critique where you want to emphasize the absurdity of a deceptive statement. It contrasts with 'obfuscate' or 'equivocate' by being more grounded and visceral, invoking the imagery of low-grade filler meat.

At the C2 proficiency level, 'boloney' is understood as a nuanced tool for linguistic dismissal. It functions as a meta-commentary on the performative nature of certain types of falsehoods. To 'boloney' is to engage in a specific genre of American 'hokum'—a blend of salesmanship, bravado, and disregard for factual accuracy. A C2 speaker might use it to describe the 'boloneying' of history, where complex events are reduced to simplistic, misleading narratives for popular consumption. It carries an inherent irony; by using a word that is itself somewhat silly, the speaker highlights the silliness of the deception they are calling out. It is a sophisticated choice for someone who wants to navigate the intersection of informal vernacular and sharp, intellectual critique.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

boloney in 30 Seconds

An informal verb meaning to speak nonsense.
Often used to call out a silly lie or excuse.
Derived from the noun for low-quality sausage.
Common in American English for casual skepticism.

The word boloney, when used as a verb, refers to the act of speaking nonsense, talking in a way that is intended to deceive, or presenting foolish ideas as if they were true. While most commonly recognized as a noun representing a type of sausage or a synonym for 'nonsense,' the verbal form is a colloquial way to describe someone who is actively trying to 'pull the wool over someone's eyes' through ridiculous or unfounded claims.

Social Context: You will typically hear this word in informal settings, such as during a heated debate between friends or when an elder is dismissing the excuses of a younger person. It carries a tone of skepticism and directness.

Stop trying to boloney me with those excuses about why the homework isn't finished; I know you were playing video games all night.

In American English, the term has a long history of being associated with the 'cheapness' or 'low quality' of the sausage it is named after. When you 'boloney' someone, you are essentially feeding them low-quality information. It is often used in the continuous form, 'boloneying,' to describe an ongoing attempt to mislead or confuse an audience with irrelevant or silly details.

Tone and Register: It is firmly in the informal register. You would rarely find this in a legal document or a formal academic paper, except perhaps when quoting a subject who used the term in an interview.

The salesman spent twenty minutes boloneying the crowd before anyone realized the product didn't actually work.

Historically, the word gained traction in the early 20th century. It evokes a sense of old-fashioned skepticism. When someone 'boloneys,' they aren't just lying; they are performing a sort of theater of the absurd. It implies that the listener is smart enough to see through the nonsense, and the speaker is being rather clumsy in their deception.

Frequency of Use: While not as common as 'lying' or 'kidding,' it remains a staple of American vernacular, particularly among older generations or those wishing to sound folksy and approachable.

Don't boloney around; just give me the straight facts about the budget.

Using 'boloney' as a verb requires an understanding of its transitive and intransitive nature. You can 'boloney someone' (transitive), or you can 'boloney around' (intransitive), meaning to waste time with nonsense.

Direct Object Usage: When you use it with a direct object, the person being 'boloneyed' is the recipient of the nonsense. Example: 'He tried to boloney the committee, but they saw right through him.'

Quit boloneying your parents about your grades; they already saw the report card.

The verb also works well in the imperative mood. Telling someone 'Don't boloney me!' is a sharp, effective way to demand the truth. It functions similarly to 'Don't kid me' or 'Don't lie to me,' but with a specific flavor of dismissing the lie as ridiculous.

Continuous Tense: The present continuous 'boloneying' is perfect for describing a speech or a presentation that is full of fluff. Example: 'The politician is just boloneying again.'

I suspect he was boloneying the whole time he was explaining the car's engine problems.

Furthermore, 'boloney' can be used to describe the act of inflating one's achievements. If a person is 'boloneying their resume,' they are adding exaggerated or false details to make themselves look better. This usage highlights the deceptive aspect of the word.

Phrasal Variation: 'Boloneying around' suggests a lack of seriousness or purpose. 'If you keep boloneying around, we will never finish this project on time.'

Don't let him boloney you into buying that overpriced insurance policy.

In the real world, 'boloney' as a verb is most often found in dialogue—both in fiction and in everyday speech. It is a word of the people, often used to bridge the gap between a polite disagreement and a blunt accusation of lying.

Pop Culture: You'll hear it in classic American cinema (think 1940s-1960s) where characters use 'tough talk' that remains family-friendly. It’s the kind of word a detective in a noir film might use when interrogating a suspect.

'You're boloneying me, kid,' the coach said, 'I know you can run faster than that.'

In political commentary, though the noun form is more common ('That's a bunch of boloney!'), commentators occasionally use the verb to describe the tactics of a spin doctor. It captures the essence of trying to make a bad situation look good through deceptive language.

Workplace Dynamics: In office environments, it might be used to describe 'corporate speak' or jargon that doesn't actually mean anything. A frustrated manager might say, 'Stop boloneying the client and just tell them the delivery is delayed.'

The witness was clearly boloneying the jury with his inconsistent timeline of events.

You might also encounter it in sports broadcasting. When a player makes an excuse for a poor performance, a commentator might dismiss it by saying the player is 'just boloneying the fans.' It implies a lack of accountability paired with a weak attempt at justification.

Everyday Conflict: In family settings, it's a common 'grandparent' word. It’s used to call out children's tall tales in a way that is corrective but not overly harsh, maintaining a level of playfulness.

If you think you can boloney your way out of this chore, you're mistaken.

The most frequent mistake with 'boloney' is confusing its part of speech. Many learners use it only as a noun, missing the expressive power of the verb form. However, when using it as a verb, there are several pitfalls to avoid.

Spelling Confusion: Mistake: Writing 'bolognaing.' While 'bologna' is the correct spelling for the meat, 'boloneying' is the preferred spelling for the verb meaning to talk nonsense. Using the 'bologna' spelling in this context looks awkward and overly formal.

Incorrect: He was bolognaing the teacher. Correct: He was boloneying the teacher.

Another mistake is overusing the word in formal environments. As a B2-level word, it's important to know *where* it fits. Using it in a professional email to a superior could come across as disrespectful or immature. It is better suited for casual conversation or creative writing.

Semantic Overextension: Don't use 'boloney' to mean 'to lie about something serious' like a crime. It is for 'foolish talk' or 'nonsense.' Using it for a major felony would downplay the gravity of the situation inappropriately.

Avoid: The thief boloneyed about the murder. Better: The thief lied about the murder.

Learners also sometimes confuse 'boloneying' with 'bullying.' These are phonetically somewhat similar but have entirely different meanings. Bullying involves intimidation; boloneying involves deception and nonsense. Make sure your pronunciation clearly differentiates the 'o' sound.

Preposition Errors: Mistake: 'He boloneyed to me.' Correct: 'He boloneyed me.' The verb is typically transitive when referring to a person, meaning no preposition is needed between the verb and the person.

Don't boloney the public with fake promises.

While 'boloney' is unique in its flavor, several other verbs can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right word for the right situation.

Boloney vs. Bluff: To 'bluff' is to pretend to have a strength or position you don't have, often in a game or negotiation. To 'boloney' is broader; it's about general nonsense and silly deception, not necessarily a strategic false front.

He's bluffing about having a better offer; he's boloneying about the reasons why he wants to leave.

Another close relative is 'bamboozle.' Bamboozling is a bit more complex—it implies a successful trick or a state of confusion. Boloneying is more about the *act* of speaking the nonsense, whether or not the listener actually believes it.

Boloney vs. Bamboozle: 'He bamboozled the investors' (he successfully tricked them). 'He boloneyed the investors' (he talked a lot of nonsense to them, they might or might not have believed it).

The con artist bamboozled the town, but he started by boloneying the mayor.

Finally, consider 'blather.' Blathering is talking nonsense without the intent to deceive—it’s just aimless, foolish talk. Boloneying usually has a slight edge of trying to get away with something or making a false point.

Comparison Table: Boloney: Nonsense with slight intent to deceive. | Blather: Aimless nonsense. | Lie: Direct factual falsehood. | Mislead: Strategic redirection.

Stop blathering about the weather and stop boloneying about why you were late!

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word became a popular synonym for 'nonsense' in the 1920s, largely attributed to New York Governor Al Smith.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /bəˈləʊ.ni/

US /bəˈloʊ.ni/

Stress is on the second syllable: buh-LO-nee.

Rhymes With

phoney pony stony boney crony macaroni abalone alimony

Common Errors

Pronouncing it like 'bologna' (the city) as 'bo-lo-nya'.
Stressing the first syllable.
Making the 'o' too short.
Confusing the 'n' with an 'm'.
Pronouncing the 'ey' like 'ay' in 'play'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize in context.

Writing 4/5

Spelling and verb usage can be tricky.

Speaking 5/5

Requires confidence in informal register.

Listening 3/5

Clear pronunciation usually helps.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

nonsense lie joke meat silly

Learn Next

malarkey bamboozle obfuscate prevaricate equivocate

Advanced

sophistry casuistry hokum charlatanism mendacity

Grammar to Know

Transitive Verbs

You boloney *someone*.

Present Continuous for Annoying Habits

He is *always boloneying*.

Gerunds as Subjects

*Boloneying* won't get you far.

Imperative Negative

*Don't boloney* me.

Phrasal Verbs with 'Around'

Stop *boloneying around*.

Examples by Level

Don't boloney me!

Don't tell me silly lies!

Imperative mood.

He is boloneying about his cat.

He is saying silly things about his cat.

Present continuous.

I don't boloney.

I don't say nonsense.

Simple present negative.

She boloneyed us yesterday.

She told us nonsense yesterday.

Past tense.

Stop boloneying and eat!

Stop talking nonsense and eat!

Gerund after 'stop'.

Do you boloney often?

Do you talk nonsense often?

Question form.

They boloney all the time.

They always say silly things.

Simple present.

It is fun to boloney.

It is fun to say silly things.

Infinitive.

Why are you boloneying your teacher?

Why are you lying to your teacher?

Present continuous question.

He boloneyed his way out of trouble.

He used nonsense to avoid trouble.

Past tense with 'way out'.

She loves boloneying about her travels.

She loves telling tall tales about her trips.

Gerund after 'love'.

They tried to boloney the principal.

They tried to tell nonsense to the principal.

Infinitive.

Don't boloney around; do your work.

Don't waste time with nonsense; work.

Phrasal verb 'boloney around'.

He was boloneying me for an hour.

He was talking nonsense to me for an hour.

Past continuous.

I think he is boloneying us.

I think he is telling us nonsense.

Present continuous.

Stop boloneying and tell the truth.

Stop with the nonsense and be honest.

Imperative.

The salesman was boloneying the crowd about the product.

The salesman was talking nonsense to the crowd.

Transitive usage.

If you boloney the boss, you might get fired.

If you lie to the boss, you could lose your job.

First conditional.

She has been boloneying everyone about her secret.

She has been telling everyone nonsense about her secret.

Present perfect continuous.

He boloneyed the whole committee during the meeting.

He deceived the whole committee with nonsense.

Simple past.

It's obvious when he is boloneying.

It's easy to see when he is talking nonsense.

Intransitive usage.

Don't let him boloney you into buying that car.

Don't let him trick you into buying that car.

Causative structure.

We knew he was boloneying the entire time.

We knew he was talking nonsense the whole time.

Past continuous.

He boloneyed about his experience to get the job.

He told nonsense about his experience for the job.

Prepositional phrase 'about his experience'.

The politician spent the debate boloneying the electorate.

The politician spent the debate talking nonsense to the voters.

Participle phrase.

I'm tired of people boloneying their way through life.

I'm tired of people using nonsense to succeed.

Gerund phrase.

He attempted to boloney the investigators with a fake alibi.

He tried to deceive the investigators with a fake story.

Infinitive with direct object.

She has a talent for boloneying people without them knowing.

She is good at talking nonsense to people secretly.

Gerund after preposition 'for'.

The company was caught boloneying the environmental reports.

The company was caught falsifying the reports with nonsense.

Passive voice with gerund.

Quit boloneying and provide some actual data.

Stop the nonsense and give real facts.

Imperative.

He was boloneying so much that no one believed his real name.

He was talking so much nonsense that no one believed him.

Result clause with 'so... that'.

They boloneyed the public into thinking the tax was good.

They deceived the public into believing the tax was beneficial.

Transitive with 'into' phrase.

The CEO's attempt to boloney the shareholders failed miserably.

The CEO's try at deceiving the shareholders was a failure.

Infinitive as a noun modifier.

His entire testimony was just an exercise in boloneying the court.

His testimony was just an attempt to talk nonsense to the court.

Gerund as an object of a preposition.

By boloneying the details, he managed to obscure the truth.

By talking nonsense about the details, he hid the truth.

Instrumental 'by' + gerund.

The media is often accused of boloneying complex international issues.

The media is accused of simplifying and misrepresenting issues.

Passive construction.

He isn't just lying; he is actively boloneying the narrative.

He is actively adding nonsense to the story.

Emphasis with 'actively'.

The marketing campaign was designed to boloney the consumers.

The campaign was made to deceive the consumers with fluff.

Passive infinitive of purpose.

To boloney a friend is to risk the entire relationship.

Talking nonsense to a friend is dangerous for the bond.

Infinitive as subject.

He boloneyed his credentials so thoroughly that he was hired as a specialist.

He falsified his credentials with nonsense so well he got the job.

Adverbial clause of result.

The discourse was characterized by a persistent tendency to boloney the historical record.

The talk was marked by a habit of misrepresenting history with nonsense.

Formal academic structure.

One must be vigilant against those who seek to boloney the public for personal gain.

One must be careful of people who talk nonsense to the public for money.

Use of 'one' and 'seek to'.

The art of boloneying requires a certain lack of shame and a surplus of words.

The skill of talking nonsense needs no shame and many words.

Gerund as subject with complex predicates.

He boloneyed the philosophical arguments until they lost all original meaning.

He distorted the philosophy with nonsense until it was meaningless.

Transitive verb with 'until' clause.

The report was a masterclass in boloneying, offering fluff where facts were needed.

The report was a perfect example of talking nonsense.

Appositive phrase with gerund.

Critics argue that the candidate is merely boloneying the base with populist rhetoric.

Critics say the candidate is just telling nonsense to the supporters.

Reporting verb with 'that' clause.

The sheer audacity of his attempt to boloney the high court was breathtaking.

The boldness of his try to deceive the high court was amazing.

Complex noun phrase.

In an era of misinformation, boloneying has become a strategic political tool.

In a time of lies, talking nonsense is a political strategy.

Gerund as subject in a prepositional context.

Synonyms

bluff mislead bamboozle deceive exaggerate fabricate

Antonyms

clarify substantiate verify

Common Collocations

boloney the public

stop boloneying

boloney your way through

try to boloney

constantly boloneying

boloney the boss

boloney the facts

boloney the jury

start boloneying

boloney around

Common Phrases

Don't boloney me.

— Do not tell me lies or nonsense.

I know you're lying, so don't boloney me.

He's just boloneying.

— He is just talking nonsense.

Ignore him; he's just boloneying.

Boloneying the issue.

— Avoiding the real problem with nonsense.

The manager is boloneying the issue.

Caught boloneying.

— Found to be telling a lie.

He was caught boloneying his parents.

Boloneying the crowd.

— Deceiving a group of people.

The speaker was boloneying the crowd.

Quit your boloneying.

— Stop talking nonsense.

Quit your boloneying and get to work.

Boloneying a story.

— Making up a false narrative.

She is boloneying a story about her cat.

Boloneying the details.

— Being vague or false about facts.

He is boloneying the details of the accident.

Boloneying for time.

— Talking nonsense to delay something.

The student was boloneying for time.

Boloneying the truth.

— Hiding the truth with nonsense.

They are boloneying the truth from us.

Often Confused With

boloney vs bologna

The noun for the sausage; usually spelled differently in the nonsense context.

boloney vs bullying

Phonetically similar but means to intimidate, not to talk nonsense.

boloney vs baloney

The most common spelling for the noun 'nonsense,' but 'boloney' is the verb form.

Idioms & Expressions

"full of boloney"

— Completely full of nonsense or lies.

That guy is full of boloney.

Informal

"slice it any way you like, it's still boloney"

— No matter how you explain it, it's still a lie.

Slice it any way you like, it's still boloney.

Idiomatic

"no boloney"

— The honest truth; no lies.

I'm giving it to you straight, no boloney.

Informal

"boloney sandwich"

— A complete lie (often used as a noun, but related).

That's a total boloney sandwich.

Slang

"cut the boloney"

— Stop the nonsense and get to the point.

Cut the boloney and tell me the price.

Informal

"boloney stop"

— A point where nonsense must end.

We've reached the boloney stop.

Slang

"boloney detector"

— One's ability to sense a lie.

My boloney detector is going off.

Informal

"pure boloney"

— Absolutely nothing but nonsense.

What he said was pure boloney.

Emphasis

"boloney walk"

— A deceptive way of acting.

He's doing the boloney walk again.

Slang

"boloney king"

— Someone who lies constantly.

He's the boloney king of this office.

Informal

Easily Confused

boloney vs Blather

Both mean nonsense.

Blather is aimless; boloney is often deceptive.

He blathered about birds; he boloneyed about his grades.

boloney vs Bluff

Both involve deception.

Bluffing is about strength/intent; boloneying is about general facts.

He bluffed in poker; he boloneyed about his job.

boloney vs Bamboozle

Both mean to trick.

Bamboozle is the successful trick; boloney is the talk itself.

He bamboozled the bank; he boloneyed the teller.

boloney vs Snow

Both are slang for deception.

Snowing is overwhelming; boloneying is just foolish talk.

He snowed the jury; he boloneyed his friends.

boloney vs Kid

Both can mean not being serious.

Kidding is usually friendly; boloneying can be annoying or deceptive.

I'm kidding you; stop boloneying me.

Sentence Patterns

Don't [verb] me.

Don't boloney me.

He is [verb]ing.

He is boloneying.

Stop [verb]ing about [noun].

Stop boloneying about your car.

[Noun] tried to [verb] the [noun].

The boy tried to boloney the teacher.

By [verb]ing, he [verb].

By boloneying, he escaped.

The act of [verb]ing is [adj].

The act of boloneying is tiresome.

Why are you [verb]ing?

Why are you boloneying?

I suspect he is [verb]ing.

I suspect he is boloneying.

Word Family

Nouns

boloney (nonsense)

bologna (sausage)

Verbs

boloney (to talk nonsense)

Adjectives

boloney-filled

boloneyish

nonsense

hokum

malarkey

bunkum

eyewash

How to Use It

frequency

Occasional in speech, rare in writing.

Common Mistakes

Using 'bolognaing' as the spelling. → boloneying
The 'boloney' spelling is more common for the verb/nonsense sense.
Saying 'He boloneyed to me.' → He boloneyed me.
'Boloney' is a transitive verb in this context.
Using it for serious crimes. → He lied about the theft.
'Boloney' is for nonsense and silly lies, not serious legal matters.
Pronouncing it like 'Bologna' (the city). → buh-LO-nee
The slang term always ends in an 'ee' sound.
Using it in a formal report. → The data is inaccurate.
It is strictly an informal/slang term.

Tips

Use for Silly Lies

Best used when someone tells a story that is obviously not true.

Keep it Casual

Use it with friends, family, or in informal writing.

Stress the Middle

Say buh-LO-nee, not BO-lo-nee.

Transitive Use

Remember you boloney *someone*, no preposition needed.

Synonym Choice

Choose 'boloney' when you want to sound folksy and skeptical.

Creative Writing

Great for dialogue in stories set in the mid-20th century.

Americanism

Use it more when speaking with Americans for better resonance.

Identify Tone

It usually indicates that the listener doesn't believe the speaker.

Sausage Filler

Think of the sausage to remember it means 'filler' talk.

Soft Accusation

Use it to call out a lie without starting a major fight.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'boloney' sausage. It's full of 'filler.' When someone 'boloneys' you, they are filling your ears with nonsense instead of the 'meat' of the truth.

Visual Association

Imagine someone talking, and instead of words, little sausages are coming out of their mouth.

Word Web

Sausage Nonsense Lying Informal American Filler Deceive Silly

Challenge

Try to use 'boloney' as a verb in a sentence about a politician or a salesman today.

Word Origin

Derived from 'Bologna sausage,' which was often seen as a cheap, low-quality meat filler.

Original meaning: A type of sausage from Bologna, Italy.

English (slang) from Italian (toponym).

Cultural Context

Informal; not for professional or solemn occasions.

Most common in the US and Canada. Rare in the UK.

Governor Al Smith's 'Boloney' speeches. The 'Oscar Mayer' bologna song. Looney Tunes cartoons.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Family Arguments

Stop boloneying your sister.
Don't boloney me about the chores.
He's just boloneying.
Quit the boloneying.

Politics

The candidate is boloneying.
Boloneying the voters.
Campaign boloneying.
Stop boloneying the facts.

Sales

Don't let him boloney you.
Boloneying the features.
Salesman boloneying.
Pure boloneying talk.

School

Boloneying the teacher.
He boloneyed his essay.
Quit boloneying around.
Boloneying about grades.

Sports

The coach is boloneying.
Boloneying about the injury.
Stop boloneying the fans.
Player boloneying.

Conversation Starters

"Have you ever caught someone boloneying about their achievements?"

"Do you think politicians boloney more than regular people?"

"When was the last time you had to boloney your way out of a situation?"

"How do you feel when you realize a friend is boloneying you?"

"What is the funniest thing someone has tried to boloney you about?"

Journal Prompts

Write about a time you tried to boloney someone and if they believed you.

Describe a character who spends their whole life boloneying others.

Why do you think 'boloney' is a better word than 'lie' in some cases?

Analyze a famous advertisement that you think is boloneying the public.

How can you tell when someone is boloneying you? List the signs.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, in informal American English, it is used as a verb meaning to talk nonsense or deceive.

While 'baloney' is common for the noun, 'boloneying' is the typical spelling for the verb.

It is informal and direct, but generally less rude than calling someone a 'liar.'

It comes from Bologna sausage, which was considered a low-quality filler meat.

No, it is too informal for a professional business setting.

It is understood, but British people usually use words like 'rubbish' or 'codswallop.'

Lying is factual; boloneying is more about the 'nonsense' or 'silly' nature of the talk.

Yes, the past tense is 'boloneyed.'

Yes, it is a very safe, family-friendly word for nonsense.

It means to waste time or act in a silly, non-productive way.