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A Cock and Bull Story (Origin)
What Is the Origin of the Saying "A Cock and Bull Story"?
A cock-and-bull story is an unbelievable tale. The term dates back as far as the mid 17 Century and is said to originate from Stony Stratford in Buckinghamshire, England. Coaches between London and Birmingham changed horses in the town at two of the main coaching inns — The Cock and The Bull.The banter of the travellers from England's two largest cities resulted in exaggerated and unbelievable stories. Therefore, a cock-and-bull story is an exaggerated or fabricated story like those told in The Cock and The Bull.
Table of Contents
- English Proverbs and Idioms Test
- More Proverbs, Sayings, and Idioms
Examples of Use:
- He tried to convince us with a cock and bull story about his mysterious disappearance.
- Her explanation for being late was nothing more than a cock and bull story that nobody believed.
- They came up with a cock and bull story to cover up their mistake, but the truth eventually came out.
- When confronted about the missing items, he invented a cock and bull story to avoid taking responsibility.
- Her excuse for not completing the assignment was a cock and bull story filled with inconsistencies.
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English Proverbs and Idioms Test
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Buy the Grammar Monster book.
Suitable for: Teachers, advanced students, and business writers.
Description: Published by London's Octopus Publishing, "Smashing Grammar" is the third, and most comprehensive, grammar reference book written by Craig Shrives (the founder of the Grammar-Monster.com). It is divided into three sections:
Description: Published by London's Octopus Publishing, "Smashing Grammar" is the third, and most comprehensive, grammar reference book written by Craig Shrives (the founder of the Grammar-Monster.com). It is divided into three sections:
- A-Z Grammar Glossary (This section explains grammar terminology, from the basics to advanced terms. It is especially useful because every entry concludes with a valuable and succinct explanation of why the grammar term matters for a writer.)
- A-Z of Punctuation (Packed with entertaining examples, this section provides definitive, well-explained rules for using all the principal punctuation marks. Punctuation should not be guesswork. There are rules.)
- A-Z of Easily Confused Words (This section covers all the homonyms and near homonyms that plague writers and offers tips on how to remember which to use.)
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