Is malarkey a cuss word?

No, malarkey is not considered a cuss word or swear word, it is considered mild, humorous, old-fashioned slang that is acceptable in polite conversation, media, and even formal political speech. Malarkey means nonsense, foolish talk, or lies, and is similar in meaning to baloney, bunk, or hogwash, which are also not profanity. The word first appeared in American English around 1922 and is believed to come from Irish surname Mullarkey associated with tall tales, not from any profane root. Because it does not contain any taboo, sexual, or blasphemous language, it is rated as PG and is safe to use in front of children, on television, in classrooms, and in workplace settings. It is often used as a polite euphemism or substitute for stronger, more vulgar terms like bullshit or horseshit, allowing speakers to express dismissal without swearing. For example, President Joe Biden frequently says that's a bunch of malarkey instead of using profanity. Some dictionaries label it as informal or slang but not vulgar. While it can be used in a scolding way like you're full of malarkey, it is not considered offensive or harassing language. So malarkey is not a cuss word, it is a mild, non-offensive slang term for nonsense that is acceptable in almost all social contexts including family-friendly environments.