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The meaning of "Barnard Castle"

"The reference also appears in A Dictionary of Slang by Eric Partridge, the eighth edition of which was published in 1984, which defines the word ‘barney’ as humbug, cheating, low, dating from 1864. ‘This sense may have a different origin,’ the author writes. ‘Come! Come! That’s Barney Castle! an expression often uttered when a person is heard making a bad excuse in a still worse cause’."Wow, Cummings is really sticking it to us. He knows that he is utterly fireproof.https://metro.co.uk/2020/05/26/barnard-castle-means-pathetic-excuse-durham-dialect-12757215/

David Ainsworth ● 2359d4 Comments

David, I have some magic beans if you'd like to buy some ...

Sue Hammond ● 2359d

Yes David I did recall something along those lines and just checked one of my father in laws old books.Barnard Castle northern dialect term for cowardice. During the 1569 northern uprising by mainly catholic Earl's the occupant of the castle Sir George Bowes refused to leave the castle to engage the enemy despite many opportunities that arose. Giving rise to the saying ' come come thats Barney Castle' meaning 'that's a pathetic excuse'.

Andy Pike ● 2359d

More northeastern than just “northern”.  Back in the northwest where I came from we never used the expression, in fact today is the first time I’ve heard it. Sort of fits though.

Jonathan Callaway ● 2358d

c/o FB

Michael Ixer ● 2358d