barney

Meanings

Noun

• A lark, a romp, some fun.
• A hoax, a humbug, something that is not genuine, a rigged or unfair sporting contest.
• A poor recitation.
• A noisy argument.
• A minor physical fight.
• A student at Harvard University.
• A police officer, usually one perceived as inferior or overzealous.

Adjective

• insane crazy, loony.

Verb

• To recite badly; to fail.
• To argue, to quarrel.

Related

Similar words

• quarrel, row, or
• fisticuffs, scuffle, or
• (argue): bicker, have a barney, row, squabble, or
• fed, pig, or

Origin

• 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.
• From the character Barney Fife on The Andy Griffith Show.