Irish bull

American  

noun

1. a paradoxical statement that appears at first to make sense. Example: He's the kind of guy who looks you right in the eye as he stabs you in the back.

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Irish bull British  

noun

1. a ludicrously illogical statement See also bull 2

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Etymology

Origin of Irish bull

First recorded in 1795–1805

Example Sentences

Last week a Catholic philosopher was hooked by an Irish bull.

From Time Magazine Archive

To employ an Irish bull, the chief event of last week was one that didn't happen.

From Time Magazine Archive

There is no better known form of Irish humor than that commonly called the "Irish bull," which is too often set down to lax thinking and faulty logic.

From The Glories of Ireland by Lennox, P. J.

“Mas’ Don—don’t say you’re drowned, Mas’ Don,” he said pitifully, with a Somersetshire man’s bold attempt at the making of an Irish bull.

From The Adventures of Don Lavington Nolens Volens by Fenn, George Manville

But it is the rarest thing to encounter a genuine Irish "bull" which is not picturesque and at the same time highly suggestive.

From The Glories of Ireland by Lennox, P. J.