blarney

American  

[blahr-nee] / ˈblɑr ni /

noun

1. flattering or wheedling talk; cajolery.

2. deceptive or misleading talk; nonsense; hooey.

   a lot of blarney about why he was broke.

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verb (used with or without object)

blarneyed, blarneying

1. to flatter or wheedle; use blarney.

   He blarneys his boss with the most shameless compliments.

blarney British  

/ ˈblɑːnɪ /

noun

1. flattering talk

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verb

1. to cajole with flattery; wheedle

blarney Cultural  

1. Smooth, flattering talk, often nonsensical or deceptive. Based on an Irish legend that those who kiss the Blarney Stone will become skilled in flattery.

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Etymology

Origin of blarney

First recorded in 1760–70; after the hamlet Blarney, in Ireland; see Blarney stone

Example Sentences

There I was, dancing a wild Irish jig to a live Irish band in Blarney Stone, a small, energetic pub in Fountain Valley on the evening of March 17.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2023

Here’s Kathleen Kennedy, awkwardly twisting upside down in a skirt to kiss Ireland’s Blarney Stone.

From Washington Times • Sep. 17, 2018

And for a plot, the holiday homecoming is as worn as the Blarney Stone.

From Washington Post • May 5, 2015

The Stokes are the nearest neighbours to Apple's Cork offices, just north of the Blarney Road.

From The Guardian • May 29, 2013

I can’t wait to show them my wooden shoes from Holland, my Blarney Stone from Ireland and all the pictures.

From "The Freedom Writers Diary" by The Freedom Writers