Meaning of Banbury story of a cock and a bull | Babel Free
/ˈbænbɹi ˈstɔːɹi əv ə ˈkɒk ənd ə ˈbʊl/Definitions
A roundabout, nonsensical story.
British, idiomatic, obsolete, slang
Equivalents
Español
una historia sin pies ni cabeza
Français
une histoire sans queue ni tête
Português
história sem pé nem cabeça
Examples
“BANBURY STORY, of a Cock and a Bull, an Idle relation, in order to pick Acquaintance on the Road, till a convenient Place and Opportunity offer to rob or plunder.”
“Banbury story of a cock and a bull. A roundabout nonſenſical ſtory.”
“A Banbury Story of a Cock and a Bull.—The saying "It is a cock and bull story" is common enough, as every one knows, at the present day; but in former times—I mean in the last century—the phrase always ran thus "It is a Banbury story of a cock and a bull." Can you inform me why was Banbury in particular fixed upon as the locality of the story? —Falgate.”
“Fanny, how is this? I promise you I thought the whole tale a Banbury story, but, upon my soul, what do I find but that fellow closeted with you!”
“Balderdash! Do not seek to pull wool over my eyes, miss! Fabricate me no Banbury stories!”
“Nor was she uncaring, mean-spirited or likely to go about spreading a Banbury story of a cock and a bull.”
“'I never got the chance. Mama sent me to my room for telling fibs.' Nella's bottom lip trembled. 'She threatened to paddle me with a hairbrush. Called it a Banbury story of a cock and bull.'”
CEFR level
C2
Mastery
This word is part of the CEFR C2 vocabulary — mastery level.
This word is part of the CEFR C2 vocabulary — mastery level.