He told me a long cock and a bull story about his car.
Banbury story of a cock and a bull
idiomA roundabout, nonsensical story.
Origin
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.
I did not believe his cock and a bull story about why he missed the meeting.
The witness offered a convoluted cock and a bull story that failed to convince the jury of his innocence.
- 01
beat the cock
To masturbate.
- 02
break the story
To be the first to address or publicize an issue, often a news story.
- 03
bull in a china shop
A person who is clumsy, aggressive, without care, concern or self-control.
- 04
bull session
An informal discursive group discussion, often one where politics, economics or current events are discussed.
- 05
change one's story
To give an account of events different from the one previously recounted.
- 06
cock a snook
To perform a snook, a gesture of disrespect.
- 07
cock cheese
Smegma or dried semen on the glans penis, usually underneath the foreskin.
- 08
cock in the henhouse
A man in a situation where he has access to many women, presumably intending to seduce them.