Etymology Etymology unknown. Often incorrectly thought to be Cockney rhyming slang from Barney Rubble (“trouble”, from the character Barney Rubble on The Flintstones), it actually dates back to the 19th century and its origin is unknown.
UK, Obsolete, Slang A hoax, a humbug, something that is not genuine, a rigged or unfair sporting contest.
"Just keep it i' thy mind," entreated the other, as a sort of parting remembrance, "ut I won thee i' fair powell—one toss an' no barney.[…]"1865, Benjamin Brierley, Irkdale, volume 2, page 19:
Blackguardly barneys called boxing competitions.1882 September 2, Evening News, column 6, page 1:
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Who would believe that Mr. Gladstone shammed being ill, and that Sir Andrew Clark issued false bulletins, and that the whole thing was a barney from beginning to end.1884 April 13, The Referee, column 4, page 7:
Gary and Mum went mental, and Gary phoned them up and had a right Barney with them.2007, Dave Brooks, For Nil Consideration, page 230:
‘They had a right barney,’ Dexter said with glee, between mouthfuls. ‘Bloke wouldn′t go. Said he′d write to his MP.’2009, Neville Conway, An Ornament to His Profession, page 45:
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‘[…]I bet there was a right barney over her wearing a dress that exposed the rose tattoo!’ Turner concluded with a laugh.2010, Michael White, The Art of Murder, unnumbered page:
I got stuck in the middle of a real barney between a couple of tough coppers and a handful of hairy protesters, and I didn't enjoy it one single bit.1982, Ruth Dudley Edwards, Corridors of Death, page 157:
But he doesn't seem to be so — so angry all the time, and it's ages since he and Aunt Annie had a real barney, with flying fists and screechings, that sort of thing.2010, Katie Flynn, The Liverpool Rose, page 200:
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‘I heard this crash, like the door was being kicked in, and then a load of shoutin′ an′ crashin′ about, like someone was havin' a real barney.’2011, Cynthia Harrod-Eagles, Killing Time:
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Boston, US, Dialectal A student at Harvard University.
There goes that fuckin' Barney right now, with his fuckin' "skiin' trip." We should'a kicked that dude's ass.1997, Damon, Matt; Affleck, Ben, Good Will Hunting, spoken by Morgan O'Mally (Casey Affleck):
You can create your own blimp or barney with anything that will deaden the camera noise, such as a changing bag, foam rubber, […]2015, Peter W. Rea, David K. Irving, Producing and Directing the Short Film and Video, page 209:
barney
adj
Etymology Etymology unknown. Often incorrectly thought to be Cockney rhyming slang from Barney Rubble (“trouble”, from the character Barney Rubble on The Flintstones), it actually dates back to the 19th century and its origin is unknown.
Etymology Etymology unknown. Often incorrectly thought to be Cockney rhyming slang from Barney Rubble (“trouble”, from the character Barney Rubble on The Flintstones), it actually dates back to the 19th century and its origin is unknown.
Etymology From the character Barney Fife on The Andy Griffith Show.
1
US, Pejorative, Slang A police officer, usually one who is inferior or overzealous.
She called the town Mayberry. She said Barney Fife was in charge.2005 March 3, “Scott Peterson's sister speaks out”, in MSNBC, archived from the original on 02 May 2012: