# mare's fart

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/mares-fart
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Something of no value, importance, or consequence whatsoever; a thing utterly not cared about.

## Examples

- To me, his opinion is just a mare's fart.
- The politician promised change, but the voters realized his speech was just a mare's fart.
- Despite the grand claims made by the marketing department, the final product proved to be a complete mare's fart.

## Origin

From *mare* + *s* + *fart*, the term serves as a nickname for the ragwort plant, arising from the notably unpleasant odour of its leaves. It is recorded as a regionalism primarily employed by cattle farmers in North Shropshire and Cheshire.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.