Dictionary

Banbury story of a cock and a bull en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˈbænbɹi ˈstɔːɹi əv ə ˈkɒk ənd ə ˈbʊl/ (Received-Pronunciation)
• (Australia) audio
• /ˈbænb(ə)ɹi ˈstɔːɹi əv ə ˈkɑk ənd ə ˈbʊl/ (General-American)

Etymology

Origin unknown. Folk history claims derivation from the rivalry between two inns in Stony Stratford, Buckinghamshire, England, one called “The Cock” and the other called “The Bull”, where travellers would congregate to hear fanciful stories told; one such story involved travellers destined for the city of Banbury. However, there is little evidence supporting this etymology.

Meanings

1. (UK, idiomatic, obsolete, slang) 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. [1856 April 26, Supplement to the Illustrated London News, volume XXVIII, number 796, London: Illustrated London News & Sketch, →OCLC, page 455:
   • Banbury story of a cock and a bull. A roundabout nonſenſical ſtory. [1785, [Francis Grose], “Banbury story of a cock and a bull”, in A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, London: Printer for S. Hooper, No. 212, High Holborn, →OCLC:
   • Balderdash! Do not seek to pull wool over my eyes, miss! Fabricate me no Banbury stories! 1981, Joan Aiken, The Stolen Lake, London: Jonathan Cape; republished Boston, Mass.: Houghton Mifflin, 2000, page 75
   • 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! 1955, Georgette Heyer, Bath Tangle, London: William Heinemann, →OCLC, page 149:
   • '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.' 2010, Michelle Styles, chapter 4, in Compromising Miss Milton (Mills & Boon Historical), Richmond, Surrey: Mills & Boon, →ISBN:
   • Nor was she uncaring, mean-spirited or likely to go about spreading a Banbury story of a cock and a bull. 2003, Connie Lane [pseudonym; Constance Laux], The Viscount's Bawdy Bargain, New York, N.Y.: Pocket Books, →ISBN, page 56:
   • 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. [1725, “BANBURY STORY”, in A New Canting Dictionary: Comprehending All the Terms, Antient and Modern, Used in the Several Tribes of Gypsies, Beggars, Shoplifters, Highwaymen, Foot-Pads, and All Other Clans of Cheats and Villains. …, London: Printed; and sold by the booksellers of London and Westminster, →OCLC:

Forms

Relateds

shaggy dog story · tall tale · whopper

Synonyms

Banbury tale · cock-and-bull story

Translations (7)

pt história sem pé nem cabeça (roundabout, nonsensical story) · gl unha historia sen pés nin cabeza (roundabout, nonsensical story) · ca una història sense cap ni peus (roundabout, nonsensical story) · de eine Geschichte ohne Hand und Fuß (roundabout, nonsensical story) · es una historia sin pies ni cabeza (roundabout, nonsensical story) · pl niewiarygodna historia (roundabout, nonsensical story) · fr une histoire sans queue ni tête (roundabout, nonsensical story)

wikipedia: Banbury · wikipedia: Stony Stratford