Cock and bull story
Significado: An unbelievable or far-fetched tale; a lie.
A 'cock and bull story' is an implausible, convoluted tale—typically an excuse or explanation that's obviously fabricated.
Ejemplos
- Don't give me some cock and bull story. 别跟我编故事。No me vengas con cuentos chinos.でたらめな話をするな。허무맹랑한 이야기 하지 마.
- His excuse was a complete cock and bull story. 他的借口完全是胡编乱造。Su excusa era un cuento chino de principio a fin.彼の言い訳は完全にでっち上げだった。그의 변명은 완전히 지어낸 이야기였다.
- I'm not buying that cock and bull story. 我不信那套鬼话。No me trago ese cuento chino.そんなでたらめな話は信じないぞ。그런 허무맹랑한 이야기는 안 믿어.
Pronunciación
/kɒk ən bʊl ˈstɔːri/
Guía de uso
Contexto: lies, excuses, disbelief
Tono: dismissive, suspicious
✓ Correcto
- Cock and bull story胡编乱造的故事cuento chinoでたらめ話허무맹랑한 이야기
- A cock and bull story鬼话连篇un cuento chinoでっち上げ話터무니없는 이야기
Errores comunes
- British expression, less common elsewhere
Origen e historia
Possibly from two coaching inns in Stony Stratford—The Cock and The Bull—where travellers exchanged exaggerated tales. Or from the absurdity of animals talking. The exact origin is itself uncertain.
Etimología: Possibly from Stony Stratford pubs, or absurd animal stories
Primera vez registrado: 17th century
Contexto cultural
Era: 17th century onwards
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Pop culture: Stony Stratford pubs; Tristram Shandy
Regional notes: British expression.
Historia y curiosidades
The Cock and Bull pubs still exist in Stony Stratford. Travellers allegedly told such tall tales between these coaching stops that their exaggerations gave us this phrase—though this etymology may itself be a cock and bull story.
Variaciones
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