Irish bull

English

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Noun

Irish bull (plural Irish bulls)

1. A ludicrous, incongruent or logically absurd statement.
   • 1878 October 1, John Oxenford, “Lord Dundreary”, in The Theater: A Monthly Review and Magazine, volume 1, London: Wyman & Sons, pages 198–199:

     Like the argot once confined to a class, some of his phrases have become part of the general idiom. A Dundrearyism can be recognized as soon as uttered, like an Irish bull.

See also

• blarney