Did someone ask you if you want to go for a drink at the ‘Cock and Bull’ after work? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
The expression ‘Cock and Bull’ is a way of describing a fanciful or outlandish story told by someone.
The cock and bull refers to an English pub, and it’s commonly used as the name for English-themed bars and restaurants throughout the world. If you’re talking ‘cock and bull’ to someone, you’re spinning a fanciful tale that sounds unbelievable.
Example Usage
“Let’s head down to the Cock and Bull after work for a pint. I have something I need to discuss with you, and I need your advice.”
“We were at the Cock and Bull on Friday, and it was a great time. I love the craft beer they have on tap at that place. It’s delicious.”
“The Cock and Bull is the best pub in town. I’m a local there, and all the bartenders know what I drink.”
“I love hanging out at the Cock and Bull. It has a great vibe, and the people are always so friendly. They have my favorite beer on tap, and the service is excellent.”
Origin
The origin story of the expression 'Cock and Bull' traces back to the English village of Stony Stratford, also known as 'The Jewel of Milton Keynes,' in Buckinghamshire, England. Stony Stratford is a pleasant town in England, with its name derived from 'the stony ford on the Roman road.'
Stony Stratford is on the old Roman road, Watling Street, now known as the 'A5.' During the peak of the coach and horse era during the 18th and early 19th centuries, the town was a stopping point for coaches traveling to Northern England.
The Cock and the Bull were two coaching inns in Stony Stratford, with travelers and residents of the town creating fanciful stories around 'The Cock and Bull.'
The first use of 'Cock and Bull' in print comes from the pen of John Day, an English dramatist. The phrase, published in 1608, appears as follows.
"That boy is worth his weight in pearle, dist marke what a tale of a Cock and a Bull he told my father while I made thee and the rest away."
Phrases Similar to Cock and Bull
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Phrases Opposite to Cock and Bull
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What is the Correct Saying?
- Cock and Bull.
Ways People May Say Cock and Bull Incorrectly
Some people may assume that ‘cock and bull’ has a sexual innuendo behind it. However, it refers to the name of an English pub and a historical story in the English community. Using it as a sexual reference is incorrect.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Cock and Bull
The expression ‘cock and bull’ refers to an old English story of a feud between villages. It doesn’t have any meaning, and there is no way to use it in conversation other than by describing the story of the cock and bull. It’s a common saying in England, and there are many pubs named ‘The Cock and Bull.’
It’s a common name for a pub, and you’ll find publicans using it to name their establishment in locations around the globe. Typically, people will use it as a reference for a pub, even if it has a different name to ‘The Cock and Bull.’