cock-and-bull story

== English == === Etymology === Unknown. The phrase is noted as similar in meaning and form to French coq-à-l'âne (“satire, incoherent story”, literally “cock to the ass”) which was borrowed into Scots as cockalane. === Pronunciation === === Noun === cock-and-bull story (plural cock-and-bull stories) (idiomatic) A far-fetched and fanciful story or tale of highly dubious validity. Synonym: Banbury story of a cock and a bull ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== shaggy dog story tall tale whopper === References ===