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

Explanation

​​Blarney refers to smooth, flattering talk and actions meant to win someone over, like when someone sweet-talks their way into getting an extra dessert. The word blarney comes from Blarney Castle in Ireland, where kissing the Blarney Stone is said to give the gift of persuasive speech. This term describes gentle and flattering words used to charm or influence someone. An example of blarney could be telling your friend they make the best cookies ever, hoping they'll bake more for you. Politicians are often known for their blarney, using it to gain support and votes.

Example Sentences

The man known for his charm and Irish blarney — a gift for the gab — was an ardent advocate of stronger U.S.-Canadian relations.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 29, 2024

“Joyride,” a grievously schematic blend of odd-couple comedy and life-affirming road movie, traverses the Irish countryside with a small degree of charm and a boatload of blarney.

From New York Times • Dec. 22, 2022

And there is a little whimsy, or perhaps a touch of blarney, in “Belfast,” though you can sense Branagh hard at work, straining to keep every impulse toward cutesiness in check.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 11, 2021

My primary form of self-care was the constant generation of blarney.

From The New Yorker • Feb. 21, 2019

“You are right to laugh, Captain Short. For a while there, I did believe in all that under-the-rainbow crock-of-gold blarney, but now I know better. Now I know about the hostage fund.”

From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer