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

See Examples For:

Irish bull

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

To make an Irish bull upon this subject, one of the nicest things that I remember of the Hermit Club is that I don't remember whether we wore our hats while there or not.

From Abroad at Home American Ramblings, Observations, and Adventures of Julian Street by Street, Julian

One legend expressly states that he pretended to be an Irish bull.

From Punchinello, Volume 1, No. 10, June 4, 1870 by Various

I therefore assigned as his theme the problem, "How to sacrifice an Irish bull to a Greek goddess."

From Reminiscences, 1819-1899 by Howe, Julia Ward