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

Anent the Irish bull, we may quote an Irishman's answer when asked to define a bull.

From Jokes For All Occasions Selected and Edited by One of America's Foremost Public Speakers by Anonymous

Warham frightened them with the terrors of royal displeasure; and the clerics had to content their conscience with an Irish bull and a subterfuge.

From Henry VIII. by Pollard, A. F. (Albert Frederick)

For the Irish bull is a license with the symbol of language.

From A Short History of England by Chesterton, G. K. (Gilbert Keith)