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

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

It’s the kind of easy way out that he seems to find halfway into the finale, when he turns on the blarney spigot one more time to talk his way into a cushy plea deal.

From New York Times • Aug. 16, 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

Well, of course, Maniac knew that most if not all of that was blarney, and, just to make sure, he watched the ball extra carefully.

From "Maniac Magee" by Jerry Spinelli