Meanings
plural Banbury stories of a cock and a bull · alternative Banbury story · alternative Banbury story of a cock and bull
- UKidiomaticobsoleteslangA roundabout, nonsensical story.First known use about late 17th c. to early 19th c.
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, →OCLC5 more 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.
[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, →OCLCA 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 455Fanny, 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 149Balderdash! 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 75Nor 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 56Synonyms: Banbury tale, cock-and-bull story
Synonyms & antonyms
nounA 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.
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Catalan una història sense cap ni peus
- una història sense cap ni peusroundabout, nonsensical story
French une histoire sans queue ni tête
- une histoire sans queue ni têteroundabout, nonsensical story
German eine Geschichte ohne Hand und Fuß
- eine Geschichte ohne Hand und Fußroundabout, nonsensical story
Polish niewiarygodna historia
- niewiarygodna historiaroundabout, nonsensical story
Portuguese história sem pé nem cabeça
- história sem pé nem cabeçaroundabout, nonsensical story
Spanish una historia sin pies ni cabeza
- una historia sin pies ni cabezaroundabout, nonsensical story
Cite this entry
Banbury story of a cock and a bull. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Banbury%20story%20of%20a%20cock%20and%20a%20bull
“Banbury story of a cock and a bull.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Banbury%20story%20of%20a%20cock%20and%20a%20bull. Accessed November 5, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Banbury story of a cock and a bull,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Banbury%20story%20of%20a%20cock%20and%20a%20bull.
Source: Banbury story of a cock and a bull on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.