Banbury story of a cock and a bull

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Banbury story of a cock and a bull

/ˈbænbɹi ˈstɔːɹi əv ə ˈkɒk ənd ə ˈbʊl/ UK
/ˈbænb(ə)ɹi ˈstɔːɹi əv ə ˈkɑk ənd ə ˈbʊl/ US

Where it comes from

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.

noun Banbury stories of a cock and a bull · Banbury story · Banbury story of a cock and bull

UK, idiomatic, obsolete, slang A roundabout, nonsensical story. 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.
Similar: Banbury tale, cock-and-bull story

Translations

Every language

noun roundabout, nonsensical story

Español	una historia sin pies ni cabeza
Português	história sem pé nem cabeça
Français	une histoire sans queue ni tête
Deutsch	eine Geschichte ohne Hand und Fuß

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MLA

"Banbury story of a cock and a bull." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/banbury%20story%20of%20a%20cock%20and%20a%20bull. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

APA

Banbury story of a cock and a bull. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 7, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/banbury%20story%20of%20a%20cock%20and%20a%20bull

Chicago

"Banbury story of a cock and a bull." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 7, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/banbury%20story%20of%20a%20cock%20and%20a%20bull.

BibTeX

@misc{banbury_story_of_a_cock_and_a_bull_2026,
  title = {Banbury story of a cock and a bull},
  howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://micwyn.com/word/banbury%20story%20of%20a%20cock%20and%20a%20bull},
  urldate = {2026-11-07}
}