# Banbury story of a cock and a bull

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈbænbɹi ˈstɔːɹi əv ə ˈkɒk ənd ə ˈbʊl/

## Definitions
1. A roundabout, nonsensical story.

## Etymology
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.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/banbury-story-of-a-cock-and-a-bull