Irish bull

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noun

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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Question 1 of 10

Which of the following words means “to make a crackling sound; crackle”?

crisp

crepitate

fuscous

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Origin of Irish bull

First recorded in 1795–1805

Words nearby Irish bull

iris diaphragm, iris family, Irish, Irish boat, Irish bridge, Irish bull, Irish coffee, Irish elk, Irish English, Irish Free State, Irish Gaelic

How to use Irish bull in a sentence

The month of May will see an Irish referendum on the legalization of same-sex marriage.
‘Only God’ Can Stop Gay Marriage|Tim Mak|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
After years at the head of a parochial school classroom, he could no longer distinguish one blond Irish Catholic kid from another.
Obama’s One Hand Clap With Castro|Doug McIntyre|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A notably large Irish contingent took part in the infamous draft riots because they did not want to compete for jobs with blacks.
This Week's Riots Are Part of America's Long History of Racial Rage|Sharon Adarlo|November 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It is a reasonable assumption, considering his roots in the Republican Party, in the Marines, and his proud Scots-Irish roots.
Hillary Gets a Challenger and He’s a Marine|David Freedlander|November 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Yes, the minor-league baseball player memorably portrayed by Kevin Costner in Bull Durham.
All The Wrong Reasons to Ban Gay Unions|Jay Michaelson|November 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The well-known "cock and bull" stories of small children are inspired by this love of strong effect.
Children's Ways|James Sully
I thought this young man was going to read us some of his poetry; it's too tiresome of him to stop to tell us about his bull-dog.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 107, November 3, 1894|Various
And I, for one, absolutely decline to believe in this preposterous story of his about a bull-dog.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 107, November 3, 1894|Various
Tom leaped on one side; the buffalo-bull turned short round and made another dash at him.
Hunting the Lions|R.M. Ballantyne
The Irish Peasantry are idle, the English say truly enough; but who inquires whether there is any work within their reach?
Glances at Europe|Horace Greeley

British Dictionary definitions for Irish bull

Irish bull

noun

a ludicrously illogical statementSee also bull 2

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012