barney

== English == === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) enPR: bäʹni, IPA(key): /ˈbɑːni/ (General American) enPR: bäɹʹni, IPA(key): /ˈbɑɹni/ Rhymes: -ɑː(ɹ)ni === Etymology 1 === Etymology unknown. Often incorrectly thought to be Cockney rhyming slang from Barney Rubble (“trouble”, from the character Barney Rubble on The Flintstones), it actually dates back to the 19th century and its origin is unknown. ==== Noun ==== barney (plural barneys) (obsolete, UK, slang) A lark, a romp, some fun. (obsolete, UK, slang) A hoax, a humbug, something that is not genuine, a rigged or unfair sporting contest. (obsolete, Harvard University slang) A poor recitation. [c. 1810] (UK, Australia, slang) A noisy argument. (UK, Australia, slang) A minor physical fight. (US dialect, Boston) A student at Harvard University. (film, television) Synonym of blimp (“soundproof cover for a video camera”). ==== Adjective ==== barney (comparative more barney, superlative most barney) (obsolete, UK, slang) insane crazy, loony. ===== Synonyms ===== (noisy argument): quarrel, row, or see Thesaurus:dispute (fight): fisticuffs, scuffle, or see Thesaurus:fight ==== Verb ==== barney (third-person singular simple present barneys, present participle barneying, simple past and past participle barneyed) (obsolete, Harvard University slang) To recite badly; to fail. [c. 1810] (UK, Australia) To argue, to quarrel. ===== Synonyms ===== (argue): bicker, have a barney, row, squabble, or see Thesaurus:squabble ==== References ==== Hall, Benjamin Homer (1851), A Collection of College Words and Customs‎[8], page 15 Albert Barrère and Charles G[odfrey] Leland, compilers and editors (1889–1890), “barney”, in A Dictionary of Slang, Jargon & Cant […], volume I (A–K), Edinburgh: […] The Ballantyne Press, →OCLC, pages 81–82. John S[tephen] Farmer, compiler (1890), “barney”, in Slang and Its Analogues Past and Present. […], volume I, [London: […] Thomas Poulter and Sons] […], →OCLC, page 129. === Etymology 2 === From the character Barney Fife on The Andy Griffith Show. ==== Noun ==== barney (plural barneys) (US, pejorative slang) A police officer, usually one who is inferior or overzealous. ===== Synonyms ===== (police officer): fed, pig, or see Thesaurus:police officer === Anagrams === brayne, nearby