blarney

[ blahr-nee ]

noun

1. flattering or wheedling talk; cajolery.
2. deceptive or misleading talk; nonsense; hooey:

   a lot of blarney about why he was broke.

verb (used with or without object)

, blar·neyed, blar·ney·ing.

1. to flatter or wheedle; use blarney:

   He blarneys his boss with the most shameless compliments.

blarney

/ ˈblɑːnɪ /

noun

1. flattering talk

verb

1. to cajole with flattery; wheedle

blarney

1. Smooth, flattering talk, often nonsensical or deceptive. Based on an Irish legend that those who kiss the Blarney Stone will become skilled in flattery.

Word History and Origins

Origin of blarney¹

First recorded in 1760–70; after the hamlet Blarney, in Ireland; Blarney stone

Word History and Origins

Origin of blarney¹

C19: after the Blarney Stone

Example Sentences

The man known for his charm and Irish blarney — a gift for the gab — was an ardent advocate of stronger U.S.-Canadian relations.

From Seattle Times

Biden suffers — unfairly — by comparison with Donald Trump, thanks to Trump’s purported business acumen and the many Americans who buy his blarney about how he created “the greatest economy in history.”

From Los Angeles Times

At moments like this, there was always a twinkle in his eye, showing what former Times columnist Chris Erskine once called his “Pennsylvania blarney.”

From Los Angeles Times

The nearest novel to being essentially Bostonian might be Edwin O’Connor’s “The Last Hurrah”; its protagonist, Frank Skeffington, based on Boston’s flamboyant James Michael Curley, embodies Boston’s old political culture of blarney and bribery.

From New York Times

“Joyride,” a grievously schematic blend of odd-couple comedy and life-affirming road movie, traverses the Irish countryside with a small degree of charm and a boatload of blarney.

From New York Times