A cock and bull story
Meaning
A cock and bull story is a ridiculous, unbelievable tale, often told as an excuse or to deceive.
Origin
Imagine the bustling coaching inns of 17th-century England, particularly the "Cock" and "Bull" inns along the busy Great North Road. These rival establishments were known as hubs of chatter where weary travelers and boisterous coachmen would congregate. Over pints of ale, they would swap wild, exaggerated tales and sensational gossip—stories often so improbable and fantastic that they became synonymous with the very names of the inns. It was from these lively, competitive scenes of storytelling, where truth was often sacrificed for entertainment or a tall tale to impress, that the phrase "a cock and bull story" emerged, capturing the essence of a ridiculous, unbelievable fabrication.
Examples
- His excuse for being late was such a cock and bull story that no one believed him.
- The witness presented a cock and bull story to the jury, hoping to avoid conviction.