Banbury story of a cock and a bull

Meaning: (idiomatic,obsolete,slang,British)Aroundabout,nonsensicalstory.[from about late 17th c. to early 19th c.][1725, “BANBURY STORY”, inA 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 andWestminster,→OCLC: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.][1785,[Francis Grose], “Banbury story of a cock and a bull”, inA Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, London: Printer for S. Hooper, No. 212,High Holborn,→OCLC:Banbury story of a cock and a bull. A roundabout nonſenſical ſtory.][1856April 26,Supplement to the Illustrated London News, volume XXVIII, number796, London: Illustrated London News & Sketch,→OCLC,page455:ABanbury 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 aBanbury 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.]1955,Georgette Heyer,Bath Tangle, London:William Heinemann,→OCLC, page149:Fanny, how is this? I promise you I thought the whole tale aBanbury story, but, upon my soul, what do I find but that fellow closeted with you!1981,Joan Aiken,The Stolen Lake, London:Jonathan Cape,→ISBN; republished Boston, Mass.:Houghton Mifflin, 2000,→ISBN, page 75:Balderdash! Do not seek to pull wool overmyeyes, miss! Fabricate me noBanbury stories!2003, Connie Lane [pseudonym;Constance Laux],The Viscount's Bawdy Bargain, New York, N.Y.:Pocket Books,→ISBN, page56:Nor was she uncaring, mean-spirited or likely to go about spreading aBanbury story of a cock and a bull.2010, Michelle Styles, chapter 4, inCompromising Miss Milton(Mills & Boon Historical), Richmond, Surrey:Mills & Boon,→ISBN:'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 aBanbury story of a cock and bull.'

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